Eclampsia – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Eclampsia – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments. Furthermore,   no one knows what exactly causes pre – eclampsia or eclampsia , although abnormalities in the endothelium (the inner layer of blood vessel walls) have been considered a potential cause.

Since the exact cause of preeclampsia or eclampsia is poorly understood, it is not possible to effectively predict when preeclampsia or eclampsia will occur or to implement preventive measures that can prevent these problems from developing.
Pre -eclampsia usually occurs during an early (first) pregnancy.

What is Eclampsia: Eclampsia is a serious complication of pre- Eclampsia . It is a rare but serious condition where high blood pressure results in seizures during pregnancy. Seizures are periods of disturbed brain activity that can cause episodes of fixation, decreased alertness, and convulsions (violent agitation). Eclampsia affects about 1 in 200 women with preeclampsia. You can develop eclampsia even if you don’t have a history of seizures.

What are the Symptoms of Eclampsia: As pre- Eclampsia can lead to Eclampsia , you may have symptoms of both conditions. However, some of your symptoms could be due to other conditions, such as kidney disease or diabetes. It’s important to let your doctor know about any conditions you have so they can rule out other possible causes.

The following are Common Symptoms of Preeclampsia:

• Swelling in the face or hands
• Headaches
• excessive weight gain
• nausea and vomit
• Vision problems
• Difficulty urinating

The following are Common Symptoms of Eclampsia:

• seizures
• loss of consciousness
• agitation
• Headaches or muscle pain
• Right upper abdominal pain

What Causes Eclampsia: Eclampsia often accompanies pre- Eclampsia , which is characterized by high blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy and protein in the urine. If your preeclampsia gets worse and affects your brain, causing seizures, you have developed eclampsia. Doctors don’t know what causes preeclampsia, but they can explain how preeclampsia symptoms can lead to eclampsia.

High blood pressure: Preeclampsia is when your blood pressure or the force of blood against the walls of your arteries becomes high enough to damage your arteries and other blood vessels.

Damage to the arteries can restrict blood flow. It can produce swelling in the blood vessels of your brain and your growing baby. If this swelling interferes with your brain’s ability to function, seizures can occur.

Proteinuria: Pre – eclampsia usually affects kidney function. Proteinin your urine, also known as proteinuria, is a key sign of the condition . Each time you have a doctor’s appointment, your urine will be tested for protein.

Normally, your kidneys filter waste from your blood and create urine from that waste. However, the kidneys try to retain nutrients in the blood, such as protein, for redistribution to your body. If the kidneys’ filters, called glomeruli, are damaged, protein can leak through them and be excreted in your urine.

Who is at risk for Eclampsia: If you have or have had severe pre- Eclampsia , you may be at risk for Eclampsia .

Other risk factors for seizures during pregnancy include:

• High blood pressure (high blood pressure)
• Headaches
• Be over 35 or under 20
• pregnancy with twins
• first pregnancy
• History of poor diet or malnutrition
• Diabetes or another condition that affects your blood vessels

How Eclampsia Is Diagnosed: If you already have a diagnosis ofpre-eclampsia or have a history of it, your doctor will order tests to determine if your pre-eclampsia has happened again or has gotten worse. If you don’t have preeclampsia, your doctor will order tests for preeclampsia, as well as others, to determine why you’re having seizures. These tests can include:

Blood tests: Your doctor may order several types of blood tests to assess your condition. These tests include a hematocrit, which measures how many red blood cells you have in your blood , and a platelet count to see how well your blood is clotting. Blood tests will also help examine your kidney and liver function.

Creatinine Test: Creatinine is a waste product created by muscles. Your kidneys must filter most of the creatinine from your blood , but if the glomeruli are damaged, excess creatinine will remain in your blood . Having too much creatinine in your blood can indicate pre – eclampsia , but not always.

Urine tests: Your doctor may order urine tests to check for the presence of protein and its rate of excretion.

What are the treatments for Eclampsia : Delivering your baby is the only way to cure preeclampsia and eclampsia . If your doctor diagnoses you with preeclampsia, they may monitor your condition and treat you with medication to prevent it from becoming eclampsia . Medications and monitoring will help keep your blood pressure within a safer range until your baby is mature enough to deliver.

If you develop Eclampsia , your doctor may manage your baby early, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Early delivery can occur between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy if you have life-threatening symptoms or if medication does not work. You may need to be hospitalized until you can deliver your baby.

Medications: Medications may be needed to prevent seizures, called antiseizure drugs. You may need blood pressure lowering medication if you have high blood pressure. You may also be put on a low-dose aspirin.

Home care: Pay attention to your diet. Make sure you get enough calcium . You may have to come in for fetal monitoring and testing more often. This monitoring can be done in your own home if these services are offered in your area.

Taking all prescribed medications, rest, and monitoring any changes in your condition are critical to managing pre- Eclampsia and Eclampsia . With proper care and careful monitoring, you can deliver hassle-free.