What exactly is kidney dysplasia, the condition Sarah Hyland suffers from?

“Modern Family” actress Sarah Hyland has revealed she was recently hospitalized after suffering complications from kidney dysplasia.

The 27-year-old was in the middle of filming the new film, “The Wedding Year,” alongside Jenna Dewan when she was sent to the hospital.

Hyland shared a photo of her swollen face with the caption, “Sometimes a selfie is more than just a good and angle and feelin cute. This time for #nationalselfieday I’ve decided to share my truth. As painful as it is.”

In 2012, the actress revealed that she had been diagnosed with kidney dysplasia at the age of nine. The painful condition occurs in utero, resulting in underdeveloped kidneys that are unable to filter or process urine, creating painful cysts.

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Faced with the prospect of lifelong dialysis treatments, Hyland received a kidney transplant from her father, but still lives with chronic pain and the threat of infection.

Despite having a transplant, Hyland is in danger of developing a blockage in her kidney, that causes painful swelling called hydronephrosis which can potentially lead to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

The actress has revealed that aside from chronic pain, she lives with facial swelling, referred to as “moon face” caused by prednisone, a synthetic steroid hormone she takes regularly.

According to James J. Galligan, a Ph.D. professor of pharmacology and toxicology and director of the neuroscience program at Michigan State University, prednisone is often used as “an anti-inflammatory drug” to suppress the immune system, and prevent transplanted kidney from being rejected from the body.

Although “moon face” is not harmful, Lynn M. Ludmer, a rheumatologist at Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center said in an interview with SELF magazine, extended use of prednisone can have long lasting impacts on the body, and can lead to muscle loss, osteoporosis and can cause blood pressure and blood sugar issues.

Neither Hyland nor her rep have released a statement following her release from hospital. However, the star was spotted leaving a pharmacy in Los Angeles on Sunday.

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