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iGA nephropathy, commonly known as Berger’s Disease, is an autoimmune disease. This disease takes place when clusters of antibodies accumulate in the kidneys. It is a dangerous disease that can cause acute kidney damage and inflammation. This disease is very common among pregnant women and often leads to adverse consequences.  Why does pregnancy make it complicated? Managing iGA nephropathy is a Herculean task. This is because pregnancy further worsens the condition of this disease. A recent study has revealed that iGA nephropathy shares some common symptoms with other diseases. High blood pressure is one of those symptoms. This makes it incredibly difficult to identify this disease at its early stages. If the patient is pregnant on top of that, it leads to undesirable complications. In most cases, iGA nephropathy in pregnant women is dismissed as a kidney disease. It is only after a renal ultrasonography that iGA nephropathy is detected. It is revealed that in pregnant women, the risk of inflammation, extreme hypertension, and immune imbalance is higher. These risks are further worsened by iGA nephropathy. However, although difficult, patients can recover with antihypertensive and immunosuppressive treatments.   The common signs iGA nephropathy shares some common symptoms with other kidney diseases. As noted earlier, this is what makes it difficult to identify in the first place. However, here are some common symptoms that might signal the need to consult with a nephrologist:  Bloody urine: Seeing blood in urine is one of the foremost signs of iGA nephropathy. When blood is passed along with urine, one may notice that the colour of urine is similar to that of tea or cola. This symptom might be even more visible after a respiratory infection or a sore throat. Weakness and fatigue: Along with urine issues, one might also experience fatigue and general tiredness. Pregnancy itself is an exhausting experience, and iGA nephropathy just doubles it. This is mainly because the disease slowly affects their kidney function. Pain below the ribs: Prenancy has its own set of discomforts. Pain in certain parts of the body is one of them. iGA nephropathy worsens this pain by a lot. The area just below the ribs is affected the most.  It is noteworthy to mention that all of these symptoms are quite similar to that of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).      Detect the risks iGA nephropathy can pose many risks that are specific for pregnant women. In case of no intervention, it can lead to detrimental consequences. Considering this, some notable factors attached to this condition are:  Premature birth: Women pregnant with iGA nephropathy are at high risk of preterm delivery. In fact, their chances are 52% more than women who don’t have kidney diseases. In such cases, although vaginal birth is an option, caesarian birth is ideal as it lessens the chances of risks.   Birth complications: Since iGA nephropathy leads to premature birth, it leads to birth complications as well. A significant portion of these complications affect the mother. Therefore, proper treatment is mandatory to ensure maternal health.  Chronic Kidney Disease: Pregnant women who are affected with IGA nephropathy are prone to negative pregnancy outcomes. One such outcome is their vulnerability to CKD. The level of proteinuria that is often observed in CKD patients is also observed in women pregnant with iGA nephropathy. Apart from these, other risks include miscarriages and low birth weight infants. How do we manage it? iGA nephropathy management during pregnancy can be a difficult task, but not entirely unachievable. After all, most pregnancies with iGA nephropathy end up being successful. But to ensure this success, proper management is an unavoidable necessity. Some ways through which this condition can be maintained are:  Early diagnosis: Probably the best option for any type of kidney disease, early detection is the way to go. Undergoing a renal ultrasonography under the strict observation of a nephrologist can help in the early identification of iGA nephropathy.  Following the rules set by the doctor: Once detected, the nephrologist will suggest some medications. For the best possible outcomes, it is crucial to adhere to the routine set by the doctor.  Drink water and follow a balanced diet: Proper hydration is the best way to manage kidney diseases. This should be accompanied by a properly planned balanced meal. Fats, sodium-rich foods, and junk foods should be avoided at all costs.   Concluding words Do not be discouraged if you are suffering from iGA nephropathy while being pregnant. Although fatal, this condition can be managed with the help of appropriate medications, interventions, and procedures. You can have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby following that, even if you are affected by the condition.

The kidneys are among the vital organs of our body. These bean-shaped organs are considered to be the body’s waste management system. Therefore, ensuring renal health is one of our paramount responsibilities. Here are 10 tips you can follow to ensure healthy kidneys:1. Drink enough water every dayOne of the best ways to maintain healthy kidneys is to keep yourself hydrated. Adequate fluid intake is a key determinant of kidney health. The body requires water to function well. Water helps the kidneys filter unnecessary waste through urine. To maintain optimum kidney health, you must drink 6 to 8 glasses of water regularly. 2. Healthy foods for kidneysThe type of foods you eat has a high impact on your kidney health. For instance, food items that are rich in certain nutrients will help in the maintenance of healthy kidneys. On the other hand, junk food is bad for the kidneys. For healthy kidneys, you must include more seasonal fruits, cereals, dairy products, nuts, and beans in your daily diet. 3. Engage in physical activities and exercise Exercise and physical activities are the best ways to ensure healthy kidneys. Exercises like brisk walking, swimming, and cycling can do wonders for these organs. Physical activities can assist in the effective management of diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of kidney damage. 4. Limit salt consumption While a reasonable level of salt is good for the body, excess salt can lead to kidney stress. Salt is made up of components that can moderate the fluid retention capability of the body. So, in the case of excessive salt intake, the body retains more water, causing blood pressure to increase.5. Stop drinking alcohol and smokingSmoking and drinking are the key enemies of healthy kidneys. Smoking makes the blood vessels narrow, which limits the functions of the blood vessels. On the other hand, excessive consumption of alcohol leads to dehydration. This decreases blood flow, which causes damage to the filtering units of the kidneys.6. Give adequate rest to the bodyProper rest is an essential factor in the preservation of healthy kidneys. When a person is sleeping, the body goes into a restorative state. During this state, the kidneys are able to function up to their full potential. Additionally, this is also the time when the kidneys manage blood pressure levels. So, practice sleeping daily for at least 7 to 8 hours.7. Keep your weight under controlOverweight and obese people are the most likely demographic to become victims of kidney disease. Additionally, they are also vulnerable to heart and lung disorders. Therefore, weight management is mandatory for healthy kidneys. 8. Take OTC medications in moderation OTC medications can damage the kidneys in the long term. The ingredients of these medications include aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs should be consumed under strict moderation of a doctor. 9. Restrict Processed foodsProcessed food items are harmful to healthy kidneys. These kinds of foods are high in added sugars, sodium, and phosphorus. These components cause a lot of stress to the kidneys. Additionally, it also disrupts the body’s calcium balance. High sugar intake increases the risk of diabetes.10. Go through regular checkupsRegular checkups are the best way to preserve healthy kidneys. Frequent screenings and checkups can assist in the early identification of kidney disease. This will lead to early treatment, which ultimately will result in improved health outcomes. Don’t let your kidneys become vulnerable to disease! Take action now! Only you can keep your kidneys healthy. You can do so easily by introducing small changes to your daily lifestyle. Try to manage stress and anxiety. If you are diabetic, practice effective management techniques. Healthy kidneys are a privilege- take care of them so that they can take care of you!