The kidney is the most important organ. The kidney helps to maintain the function of your body that is crucial to have a successful life. It is our responsibility to take care of our health to maintain the health and proper function of our organs. Most people get kidney-related problems and come up with several to her health issues further. If you have any symptoms regarding your kidney and other organs then make sure to consult your nephrologist immediately. It is highly recommended to not take it lightly or for granted. 

What is a Kidney Cyst?

A kidney cyst is a fluid-filled sac that grows inside your kidney. Mainly kidneys are the bean-shaped organs that are essential to filter out the waste materials out from the bloodstream and to promote the excretion process. Kidneys play a major role in allowing your body to excrete waste products from your body to regulate better health. When the fluid-filled sac, unfortunately, grows in your kidney then it should be taken seriously. Sometimes you might have a single kidney cyst on one kidney or several cysts on both of your kidneys. 

Mainly there are two types of kidney cysts. The first is the simple cysts and the other is polycystic kidney disease. If we talk about the simple kidney cyst then it is the individual cysts that are in the form of kidneys. Simple kidney cysts consist of thin walls that are filled with a water-like fluid material. Simple kidney cysts are not harmful and do not damage the kidneys. Though simple kidney cysts do not affect the function of the kidney but still this case should not be taken for granted. If it is left without any treatment then it can lead to major health problems. 

The other types of kidney cysts are polycystic kidney disease that is an inherited condition. A kidney cyst is harmful as it can directly affect the function of your kidney. 

Most of the time kidney cysts are harmless and do not show any specific symptoms. Sometimes people don’t even realize that they have kidney cysts. When you get a scan of your body then it can be seen directly. Even if you see any symptoms then also you cannot refer to kidney cysts directly.

Kidney cyst sizes:

There are different sizes of kidney cysts. Some kidney cysts are so small that they cannot be seen even without a microscope. Some cysts can grow to be the size of a tennis ball. When the cysts get larger then cysts press on nearby organs and cause severe pain. 

Symptoms of Kidney Cysts:

Though simple cysts do not show any major symptoms when the cyst grows large then it becomes infected. Large kidney cysts or even small kidney cysts may cause some specific symptoms like:

• • Fever. You may get a high fever.
  • You might feel pain in your side between ribs and pelvis. If the cyst is larger then it will become a severe issue if the cyst bursts.
  • Sometimes it may cause pain in your upper abdomen.
  • You might also see swelling of your abdomen and urinating more than normal.
  • You might see blood in your urine. If you see dark urine then it will indicate that you have kidney cysts. 

• You will have extremely high blood pressure levels. 

Causes and risk factors:

However, kidney cysts are mainly seen in older people and it is more likely to have cysts when you get older. According to research, it was found that at the age of 40 almost about 25 percent of people have kidney cysts. It was also found that by the age of 50, around 50 percent of people have a higher probability of having kidney cysts. Mainly it was seen that men have a great chance to have kidney cysts and men are at higher risk. 

It is an inherited condition caused by changes in genes which are further passed down through the families. 

Can a Kidney cyst hurt? 

Yes, sometimes it can cause severe pain. However, kidney cysts do not cause any problematic complications. Sometimes it can resemble the following complications that cause infection in the cyst.

Major complications by having kidney cysts include the following:

• Sometimes due to a large kidney cyst, it can burst. 
• It can block the urine out of the kidney and affect the function of the kidney
• It can lead to having high blood pressure level than the normal time
• Kidney cysts can damage the kidney at a certain time. Around half of the people who have kidney cysts can develop kidney failure around the age of 60. 

How do they treat a cyst on the kidney?

Mainly Urologists perform the process of diagnosing a kidney cyst. Need some blood and urine for tests and exams. They will determine whether your both kidneys are at proper work or not. Sometimes, due to the large size of the cyst, the kidney stops functioning well and in that case, it might become more harmful.

Sometimes your doctor might also ask for the following tests:

• You might have to perform a computed tomography scan of your kidney to see a clear image of your kidney. CT scan is the most powerful X-rays technique that provides 3D images of your kidneys.
• Sometimes doctors might ask for magnetic resonance imaging. The MRI process mainly uses a magnet and radio waves to click the perfect pictures of your kidney. This process is a great way to get your kidneys wicker.
• You might have to go for an ultrasound. In this process, it uses sound waves to capture pictures of your kidney. If your kidney cysts are large then they can be easily visible in the ultrasound.
• If the kidney cysts are small then they are not harmful. You might have to go through imaginary tests that should be done every 6 to 12 months to ensure if the cyst has grown or not. 

How can you remove cysts from the kidney?

A kidney cyst can be removed with the help of sclerotherapy and surgery methods.

• Sclerotherapy

The sclerotherapy method is the most effective treatment to get rid of the kidney cyst from the kidney. This method of treatment is performed to drain out the cyst. At first, you will get a local anesthetic so that you will not feel any pain. With the help of ultrasound as a guide, your doctor will place a thin needle into the cyst that will pass through the skin. Further, they will drain all the fluid from the kidney cyst. 

Sometimes, doctors may also fill the kidney cyst with some alcohol solution to prevent it from becoming large and growing again. Though the treatment process of sclerotherapy is quite easy and less painful. You can also go home on the same day after getting sclerotherapy. 

•  Surgery

Surgery is the next option to treat kidney cysts. Mainly the surgeons will remove the kidney cysts laparoscopically with the help of several incisions. Surgeons will perform surgery by using cameras and tiny instruments. At first, the surgeon will drain out the cyst and then they will cut or burn the walls of the kidney cyst. This will remove the chances of further growth of the cyst. In this procedure, it is crucial to heal and recover properly. It will take time to recover fully so you will have to stay in the hospital for a day or two after having surgery. 

Conclusion

Sometimes people think that kidney cyst is harmful. But most simple kidney cysts are harmless and do not affect the function of the kidney. But when the cyst grows then it is crucial to consult a nephrologist. Urologists will perform sclerotherapy or surgery to remove the cyst from your kidney. This will help to remove the risk factor without any long-term complications. The case of polycystic kidney disease can be serious and can cause severe problems also.

Is a cyst on the kidney serious?

Mostly simple kidney cysts are harmless. It does not affect the function of the kidney and does not show any major symptoms as well. When the kidney cyst starts to grow then it can become serious if it is left untreated. It is crucial to get instant treatment to remove the large cyst from the kidney without facing any long-term complications. Large kidney cysts can be treated with the help of sclerotherapy and surgery procedure. Sometimes polycystic kidney disease can cause major complications such as high blood pressure levels and the failure of the kidney. It is crucial to remove the cyst as soon as possible.

What does a cyst on the kidney indicate?

Kidney cysts are like a round pouch which are filled. Kidney cysts are commonly called simple kidney cysts as they are noncancerous and do not show any major symptoms and do not cause any major complications as well. Polycystic kidney disease is another form of cyst which is harmful and has the potential to cause other health issues. It can also affect the function of the kidney. 

Are 2.5cm Kidney Cysts big?

Though the complicated and suspicious cyst is larger than the size of 2.5cm. A kidney cyst with the size of 2.5com is not big but the treatment is typically offered. 

What size kidney cyst is considered large?

Mainly renal cysts are very common in old people. A kidney cyst more than 15 cm in diameter is considered to be the largest cyst and it contains more than 2500 ml of serous fluid. Fluids can be seen rarely. As per the report, people 75 years old have a giant renal cyst. 

What is the average size of kidney cysts?

The average size of the kidney cyst is 5 to 10mm in diameter. 

Can kidney cysts be cured by medicines?

No. For simple kidney cysts, there is no cure but as it grows then it is crucial to go with sclerotherapy and surgical methods. 

What happens when a kidney cyst is left untreated?

If the kidney cyst is left untreated then it can grow dramatically. If the cyst is large enough then it can also burst which will affect the kidney and sometimes it can cause the failure of the kidney as well. 

How long can a cyst last?

Lifelong.

Why do people get cysts?

Sometimes doctors don’t even understand the exact cause of simple kidney cysts. A few possible explanations. The cysts start to grow when a tube becomes blocked, swells up, or fills with fluids. One of the other possibilities is that the cysts start when the pouch gets filled with fluid in the weakened areas. 

How do you stop kidney cysts from growing?

Removal of the kidney cyst is a great way to stop the kidney cyst from growing. 

Is a 4cm kidney cyst big?

No. This simple kidney cyst is not big and it will not affect your kidney.

Is a 10 cm kidney cyst large?

Yes. Though it can be harmless it has the potential to grow more. 

Do kidney cysts go away?

Yes. Kidney cysts go away with the surgical and sclerotherapy method. It is crucial to have proper treatment to remove the cysts from your kidney.