This blog will provide you with information about everything you would like to know on preeclampsia in simple terms. We shall be talking about preeclampsia causes, preeclampsia symptoms, and preeclampsia treatment so that you are well prepared and less worried while pregnant.

What is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a pregnant syndrome that occurs typically after 20 weeks of gestation. It is a fetal-maternal condition. Its most common clinical presentation is proteinuria and preeclampsia blood pressure levels elevation, but it can involve any organ of the body.

Consider preeclampsia to be your blood vessels throughout your entire body not working well during pregnancy. It makes the blood have a hard time circulating through vital organs like the kidneys, liver, and brain. It also damages the placenta, where the baby gets food and oxygen.

Preeclampsia is normal blood pressure with abnormal pregnancy. It's horrible and must be treated with special medicine. Luckily, if treated well, most of the mothers and babies come out really good. Superimposable part is that of preeclampsia vs eclampsia, the one we have to be concerned about is preeclampsia and convulsive preeclampsia is eclampsia. Eclampsia is superimposable and so doctors prefer treating preeclampsia before it turns into eclampsia.

Causes and Risk Factors for Preeclampsia

We do not know why preeclampsia occurs, but doctors do know that it has something to do with placental growth. If the placenta grows abnormally, there is no balance of blood pressure and circulation.
Preeclampsia risk factors are:

  • First pregnancy
  • History of preeclampsia in the past
  • Family history
  • Age between 20 years and 35 years
  • Multiple pregnancy or twin
  • Pregnancy obesity

Medical Conditions That Pose Risk:

  • Pre-existing high blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Autoimmune disorders such as lupus
  • Bleeding disorders

Other Risk Factors:

  • More than 10-year gap between the babies
  • IVF pregnancy
  • Case of extreme stress
Remember, to be at risk for preeclampsia is not equivalent to having preeclampsia. The majority of women with preeclampsia risk factors will have a normal pregnancy, and some women without any risk factors develop preeclampsia.

Symptoms of Preeclampsia

It is quite important to diagnose the preeclampsia symptoms in an early phase. Some of the preeclampsia symptoms are extremely mild, and some are extremely noticeable.

Common Preeclampsia Signs:

  • Blood pressure elevation (preeclampsia blood pressure levels are typically 140/90 or greater)
  • Protein in urine
  • Swelling of the face, hand, and foot
  • Unexplained weight increase (more than 2 pounds a week)
  • Frequent and severe headache
  • Vision change (dizziness, spots in front of the eyes, or sensitivity to light)
  • Pain in upper abdomen, particularly beneath the ribcage
  • Vomiting and nausea (particularly in later pregnancy)
  • Chest pain

Severe Preeclampsia Symptoms:

Severe preeclampsia symptoms are ginormous high blood pressure, very bad headache, blindness, and burning while urinating. They are signs that indicate an urgent need for preeclampsia treatment. All of them. They only look and feel sort of okay. That is why one must have regular prenatal appointments. Your health care provider can tell the difference between okay pregnancy aches and pains and those that could possibly be preeclampsia.

Possible Preeclampsia Complications

Preeclampsia complications can occur to mother and baby. Why doctors are so cautious. Because they witnessed such risks.

Mother's Complications:

  • Organ damage in kidney, liver, and brain due to severe preeclampsia
  • Seizure (eclampsia)
  • Stroke
  • Disorder of blood
  • Liver disease
  • Lung fluid

Baby's Complications:

  • Growth restriction of the fetus due to the poor circulation of blood
  • Preterm labor
  • Low birth weight
  • Sudden jumping of placenta from uterus
Preeclampsia complications are the reasons why physicians monitor pregnant women closely and why, in some cases, preeclampsia is treated by premature delivery.


How Do Physicians Diagnose Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia diagnosis is done by a combination of tests and check-up. Your health care provider will search for a combination of signs, not a sign.

Diagnostic Tests for Preeclampsia:

  • Checking blood pressure
  • Protein screening urine tests
  • Screening kidney and liver function by blood tests
  • Platelet count screening blood test
  • Ultrasound to monitor baby's development
  • Special tests to monitor blood to baby
Your doctor can order 24-hour urine or visit more frequently if he or she is worried about preeclampsia. Preeclampsia diagnosis can be difficult as symptoms vary with time.

Treatment and Management of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia treatment depends on severity and gestational age. Delivery is the safest option for preeclampsia, but it can be safely managed.

Treatment of Mild Preeclampsia:

  • Regularly timed clinic visits for monitoring surveillance
  • Monitoring of blood pressure at home
  • Bed rest
  • Monitoring of baby's health and recovery
  • Adjusting lifestyle and preeclampsia diet and lifestyle tips such as limiting salt and fluid intake

Treatment of Severe Preeclampsia:

  • Hospitalization for observation
  • Medication to lower blood pressure
  • Medication to suppress preeclampsia
  • Steroid injections to allow early maturation of the baby's lungs
  • Premature delivery if necessary
Preeclampsia management also includes looking out while screening for preeclampsia after delivery. The condition may still be present or even develop post-delivery of the infant, and hence the physicians will screen for weeks as well.

Prevention Measures of Preeclampsia

You cannot entirely prevent preeclampsia, but there are certain preeclampsia prevention measures that can lower your risk.

Prevention Methods of Preeclampsia:

  • Take low-dose aspirin if directed by your physician
  • Be healthy prior to conception
  • And exercise every day (with doctor's supervision)
  • Eat a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits
  • Avoid salted and processed foods
  • Wait in line for prenatal vitamins as recommended
  • Have existing medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure checked
  • Avoid alcohol and cigarettes
  • Control stress levels
  • Present for all the prenatal checkups
Preeclampsia diet and lifestyle tips include consuming sufficient foods rich in calcium, sufficient water, and rest sufficiently. Women should, however, realize that they may develop preeclampsia even with all this.

Life with Preeclampsia

Life with preeclampsia is frightening and stressful, but most women cope very well with the condition alongside medical attention and preeclampsia management.

Preeclampsia Managing Advice:

  • Follow your doctor's instructions until later
  • Have your blood pressure checked if you are instructed to
  • Learn to notice warning signs and report them immediately
  • Rest as much as possible
  • Take preeclampsia diet and lifestyle tips counseling
  • Get your entire family and your friends involved
  • Keep close to your health care team
  • Learn everything you can about the condition so you'll feel more in control
With proper preeclampsia treatment, the majority of women and their babies are just fine.

Conclusion

Preeclampsia, is such a serious complication during pregnancy, which has to be treated but well treated provided you realize early enough. By being more knowledgeable and empowered, you will be more informed about the symptoms of preeclampsia, the causes of preeclampsia and treatment of preeclampsia. The most important points to remember are to attend all of your prenatal check-ups, make sure to watch out of the red flags, and never be afraid to pick up the phone and dial your physician office in case something is not working out. 

The symptoms of preeclampsia are so delicate at the initial stages, though, it is about preeclampsia diagnosis and treatment at the earliest stage that the signs are detected. In the event that you are informed that you have preeclampsia, panic not. Effective medical preeclampsia treatment and effective medical preeclampsia management will ensure that you and baby are absolutely safe.

 Please book an appointment with the best Gynecologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.