Researchers have found that at least 5-10% of all pregnant women suffer preeclampsia but the exact number of women developing preeclampsia is still not known.
Preeclampsia is a medical condition during pregnancies characterized by high blood pressure and increased level of protein in the urine.
It has become one of the common complications most women face during their late pregnancies and it's of prime importance that every future mother should know everything about this life-threatening condition.
So, without wasting any time, let's talk in detail about its causes, symptoms, and treatment in today's section.
What causes Preeclampsia?
Unlike other diseases, preeclampsia is not easily diagnosed and the cause behind this condition still remains a controversy.
There are many factors that trigger the development of this disease, some of which includes:
- Immunological factors
- Hereditary factors, i.e. the daughters and sisters of women who've had preeclampsia has two times the risk of developing this condition.
- History of certain health conditions like high blood pressure, migraine, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infection, pre-existing hypertension, obesity caused by eating too much and kidney diseases.
- High calcium intake through diets
- Placental abnormalities such as placental ischemia.
Signs and symptoms of Preeclampsia
As mentioned earlier, preeclampsia is asymptomatic and there are most cases where the patients didn't even see any symptoms.
However, the general signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include:
- Rise in blood pressure ( greater than 140/90) and high concentration of protein in urine
- Swelling of hands and face
- Unexplainable weight gain
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness and convulsions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Epigastric pain
If you experience any of the symptoms, it's strictly advised to seek medical help as soon as possible. The optimum preventive measure of pre-eclampsia is regular check-up for blood pressure and urine.
Potential effects of Preeclampsia on mother and child
Preeclampsia increases the risk of harming the health of both mother and her child. It causes low blood flow in the placenta causing your baby to born underweight and very small.
Not only this, the newborn can face several disabilities in the future such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, autism hearing and vision problems.
While in the mothers, it causes serious complications, which are rare but hazardous like heart failure, water in lungs, seizure, bleeding after delivery, placental abruption (stillbirth) and stroke.
Treatment of Preeclampsia
There's only one effective treatment for preeclampsia, which is the delivery of your baby.
Your doctor should note the optimum time for the delivery of a healthy baby without inducing any risks for the mother.
For severe cases of Preeclampsia, induction of labor or Caesarian section with medications is required. Further management of symptoms like hypertension, seizures, high blood pressure and other complications.
To prevent eclampsia, magnesium sulfate is recommended as prescribed drug and to control hypertension, antihypertensive drugs like Hydralazine must be used.
For mild preeclampsia, following preventive measures are suggested like:
- Best rest
- Frequent ultrasounds and urine tests
- Medicines to lower blood pressure
- Regular checking of blood pressure
For more information also see: "Pregnancy is getting company inside one's skin", learn here about the steps to follow and mistakes to avoid during your pregnancy.