Preventing Acute Kidney Attack During Pregnancy Through Ayurveda

World Kidney Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide .

This year’s focus is on Acute Kidney Attack ( earlier called Acute Renal Failure ) .

Although some diseases of the kidney and urinary tract may be associated with pregnancy by chance , pregnancy induced changes may predispose to the development of renal tract disorders . Acute Kidney Attack is a life threatening complication of pregnancy . 

  Causes of Acute Kidney Attack during pregnancy

A) Early pregnancy :       Hyperemesis gravidarum ( Severe Vomitting )   

                                               Septic abortion

B) Late pregnancy :     Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH),Pre eclampsia                  

                                         HELLP Syndrome

                                         Antepartum haemorrhage (bleeding during pregnancy) 

                                         Post partum haemorrhage ( bleeding after delivery )

                                         UTI ( Urinary tract infection ) : It is the most common cause of renal disease and ranges from asymptomatic bacteriuria to pyelonephritis .

      Oliguria is an important sign of acutely impaired renal function .

According to Ayurveda , it  is considered as Mutra apravrittijanya roga .

 Prevention through Ayurveda :

a)      Garbhini Paricharya ( Ayurvedic Antenatal Regimen ) should be initiated as soon as pregnancy is confirmed .

b)      Herbs which can be taken under supervision are – Amla ( gooseberry ) , Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa ) , Chandan ( Santalum album ) , Ushir ( Vetiveria zizinioides ) , Bala ( Sida cordifolia ) ,Shatavari ( Asparagus racemosus ) , Gokshur ( Tribulus terrestris ) etc .

  c)     Diet : Eatables which can be included are – Cucumber , Pumpkin , Pomegranate , Fennel , Small cardamom , Coconut water , Buttermilk , Sugarcane juice , Raisins , Mishri ( candy sugar ) , Coriander , Water chestnut ( Singhara ) etc.

 As the physiological status is altered during pregnancy , significant changes both in structure and function take place in urinary tract . So special care for even minor complaints should be taken .