Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and symptoms of organ damage, most commonly affecting the kidneys and liver. It usually appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women who had normal blood pressure before pregnancy. If left untreated, preeclampsia can cause serious difficulties for both the mother and the baby, potentially leading to death.
Symptoms of Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is characterized by elevated blood pressure, protein in the urine (proteinuria), and signs of organ dysfunction. In some cases, symptoms may not be apparent until routine prenatal appointments, when they are usually detected by a healthcare provider.
Other possible symptoms can be:
- Intense headaches.
- Blurry vision or sensitivity to light.
- Pain in the upper abdominal region, commonly under the right ribs.
- Frequent swelling in the face, hands, or feet.
- Breathlessness due to fluid accumulation in the lungs.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Reduced platelet count in blood and elevated liver enzymes
Causes of Preeclampsia
The exact cause of preeclampsia is uncertain; it is considered to originate in the placenta, the organ that nourishes the fetus. During pregnancy, blood vessels develop to provide the placenta with oxygen and nutrients. In women with preeclampsia, these blood arteries don’t develop or function normally. This can impede blood flow to the placenta and cause the mother’s blood pressure to rise.
Diagnosis of Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia must be recognized early and treated carefully to protect the mother’s and baby’s health. Regular prenatal check-ups are essential for the monitoring of blood pressure and other symptoms of the condition.
- Elevated blood pressure: It is defined as readings of 140/90 mmHg or higher on two separate occasions.
- Proteinuria: The presence of protein in urine as established by 24-hour urine collection or a dipstick test.
- Blood tests: They depend on liver and kidney function, uric acid levels, and platelet count.
- Edema monitoring: It includes detecting unusual or severe edema, particularly on the face, hands, and feet.
- Fetal monitoring: It comprises ultrasound and non-stress testing to better assess fetal health and growth.
- Symptoms: They include persistent headaches, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain, and sudden weight gain.
Prevention of Preeclampsia
This includes managing risk factors and adopting a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Although it cannot always be prevented, the risk can be reduced in the following ways:
- Maintain a healthy weight: To reduce the risk of preeclampsia, achieve and maintain a healthy weight before and during pregnancy.
- Balanced diet: Try to eat various types of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, and also control daily consumption of sodium.
- Exercise: Always actively engaged in physical activities recommended by the doctors, which may support or help in the management of weight and blood pressure.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol: Both can raise the risk of complications such as preeclampsia.
- Take low-dose aspirin (if recommended): To reduce the risk of preeclampsia in high-risk women, doctors may prescribe low-dose aspirin.
- Control chronic conditions: Work with your doctor to manage pre-existing health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease.
