Preeclampsia: Signs, Causes, Risk Factors, Complications, Diagnosis & Treatment hercaregroup.com
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Pre-eclampsia :-
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that happens during pregnancy. Often in this condition , mothers suffering from high blood pressure called hypertension or protein are thrown out from the urine.
It might affect different organs and can be harmful to mother and foetus as well.
The seriousness of disease is declared by high blood pressure and it usually happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The cause of this condition are not fully understood, but genetic factors and placenta seem to play an important role.
Effects of Pre-eclampsia on unborn baby-
Usually baby is connected to mother by a special organ called as placenta.Through placenta baby receives oxygen,proteins and everything through mothers blood and waste is thrown out into mothers blood which is thrown out of the mothers body as well.If there is very high blood pressure, the RBCs will not be able to transport oxygen to the baby due to which the baby might get oxygen deprived and might get suffocated.
Another serious condition is placental abruption where the placental abruption here the baby might separate from placenta and mother might face vaginal bleeding.
Causes
The exact cause for Pre-eclampsia is not known but it is believed that it develops due to the problem with placenta.There might be drcrease of blood supply to placenta because the blood vessel might not have been well developed and this can lead to problems with both you and fetus.
Symptoms
High blood pressure and protein in urine is one of the common symptoms in Pre-eclampsia but this might not be noticeable in early stages.
Other signs and symptoms may include
- Level of platelets decreased in blood
- increased enzymes production indicating liver damage
- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in upper belly usually under ribs
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Sudden weight gain or swellinf particularly in hands and pain may also be a sign of Pre-eclampsia .
Risk factors
Studies have shown that black women has a higher chance of having Pre-eclampsia than white women.This difference might not be dye to biology but the accesss to prenatal care and health care in general .
Lower income is also related as access to Healthcare. Other risk factors may include:-
- First pregnancy- chance of Pre-eclampsia is tend to happen more in first pregnancy
- Family history
- Other condition- people with diabetes, high bp, kidney disease are more likely to develop Pre-eclampsia
- Multiple pregnancy-if a person is expecting 2 or more babies then chances are more.
Treatment
The healthcare provider might tell you to do some physical exams as well as blood or urine test as well and the resulrs will decide what kind of treatment should be given. Pre-eclampsia is not cured until baby is delivered. Until tge persons blood pressure reduces they have high risk of placental abruption ,bleeding or organ failure. So the doctor may recommend
- Antihypertensive- they help to lower blood pressure
- Anticonvulsant- they might use these drug to prevent first seizure.
- Corticosteroids- they induce fetal lung maturity to prepare for premature delivery.
REST- if the person is far from delivery date and have mild symptoms doctor might advice bed rest.Resting bring down bp, increase blod flow to placenta .
INDUCING LABOR – if person is end to Pre-eclampsia then the doctor might advice for early delivery by inducing labor or petform a ceaserean delivery as soon as possible. Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia might go away within few weeks of delivery.
PREVENTION:-
It is not fully preventable but several steps can reduce the risk
- Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water
- Ecxluding salt
- Avoid alcohol or caffeine
- Regular exercise
- Resting
- Eat healthy food
Summary
Pre-eclampsia is a disease where there is sudden high blood pressure and protein in urine.It is not preventable but taking few steps might reduce the risk like drinking water, doing exercise daily and including healthy food in diet.Every pregnant women should discuss about preeclampsia with the doctor to know more information.
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