Toxemia or preeclampsia usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy with symptoms of elevated blood pressure, edema and protein in the urine. In extreme cases it can quickly develop into eclampsia, a state in which blood pressure rises out of control putting the mother and child at risk for potentially fatal consequences and results in premature infant delivery. 200,000 or 5 percent of women in the U.S., are affected each year, while globally, it is the leading causes for infant and maternal mortality.
Presently, the only way of diagnosing preeclampsia, is by monitoring blood pressure levels on a weekly basis during their third trimester. However, by that time, it could be too late as blood pressure could've spun out of control precipitating a series of complications for the mother.
The fetus, during a regular pregnancy, sends a signal to the mother's body to broaden blood vessels to the placenta so the fetus can get vital nutrients and oxygen. With preeclampsia, the blood vessels actually do the opposite and constrict or narrow the blood vessels creating a life-threatening reality.
One discovery by researchers indicated that this narrowing of the blood vessels was due to a pro-angiogenic protein being absorbed and attached by an anti-angiogenic protein and happened 5 weeks before preeclampsia took form in pregnant women. They then tried to find a cheap way of identifying women who may be predisposed to the disease by testing the urine for the affected proteins that were being absorbed.
The results proved their suspicions about the anti-angiogenic proteins and offer hope of treatment for this serious condition. Almost in every case of preeclampsia, eclampsia or toxemia, excess protein is found in the urine. This could also be the result of a urinary tract infection (Cystitis) or a kidney disease such as a dysfunctional glomeruli.
Another scenario could be bacteria residing in the intestinal tract bringing about these symptoms. The role of the kidney is to filter out excess chemicals and minerals in the blood such as protein, which would be by way of urination. Too much protein or amino acids in the diet can be yet another cause for the aforementioned condition. In fact, excess protein in the diet can even damage the kidneys and cause gout.
A natural way of general prevention would be to clean the colon, bladder and intestines, use a natural diuretic and cleanse the kidneys before or once pregnancy is known.
Proper toilet hygiene can prevent cystitis or inflammation of the urinary tract too. Women have a shorter urethra than men and should exercise sanitary wiping when using the bathroom. Hyperactive sex is another way to get an infection, among other things, of the bladder area.
