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Eclampsia: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is high blood pressure that develops or increases during pregnancy.
Eclampsia is a condition - that is life threatening and needs immediate treatment and attention. This condition occurs in females and late during pregnancy or during lactation. It is also more common in small breeds such as Chihuahuas. The signs are: * Nervous panting, followed by vomiting and disorientation * Increased body temperature and twitching muscles are a dangerous sign of this condition! ...
Eclampsia is one of the most serious complications of severe preeclampsia. In the developed world, it is exceedingly rare and nearly always treatable if appropriate intervention is promptly sought. According to “Pre-Eclampsia: The Facts” (Redman, Walker, copyright 92), Pre-eclampsia is so named because it was originally identified as a disorder preceding eclampsia, although it is now known that eclamptic convulsions is only one of the several potential complications of the disease. ...
Eclampsia is one of the most serious complications of severe preeclampsia. In the developed world, it is extremely rare and is almost always treatable, if necessary, intervene quickly sought. According to the "Pre-Eclampsia: Facts" (Redman, Walker, copyrights 92) Pre-eclampsia so called because it was originally defined as a violation of previous eclampsia, although it is now known that eclamptic seizures is only one of several possible complications of the disease. ...

What are the signs of pre-eclampsia?

Oedema, when your ankles and hands swell slightly, is common during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. While it can be uncomfortable, it's not dangerous. For more, see our article on oedema . If, however, you notice sudden swelling of your face and hands, it could be something serious and even life-threatening - pre-eclampsia, or severely elevated blood pressure. See our article for more information: • Pre-eclampsia LABOUR AND BIRTH

What is Pre-Eclampsia or Toxemia?

Pre-eclampsia or Toxemia is high blood pressure during pregnancy. It occurs only during pregnancy and most often shows up in the 3rd and final trimester although it can occur in the late 2nd trimester. It can be very dangerous and lead to dangerous seizures which we call eclampsia. There is no cure for this disease except for delivery. During the delivery process you may receive medication to prevent seizures and also to lower your blood pressure. ...

What is the definition of the term eclampsia?

Main Entry: eclampˇsia Pronunciation: i-'klam(p)-sE-& Function: noun Etymology: New Latin, from Greek eklampsis sudden flashing, from eklampein to shine forth, from ex- out + lampein to shine Date: circa 1860 : a convulsive state; especially : an attack of convulsions during pregnancy or parturition - eclampˇtic /i-'klam(p)-tik/ adjective Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary

What is pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a problem that occurs in some women during pregnancy. It can happen during the second half of pregnancy. Your doctor will look for the following signs of pre-eclampsia: high blood pressure, swelling in the lower extremities that don’t go away and protein in your urine.
Pre-eclampsia is a problem that occurs in some women during pregnancy. It can happen during the second half of pregnancy. Your doctor will look for the following signs of pre-eclampsia: high blood pressure, swelling in the lower extremities that don't go away and protein in your urine.

What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?

A person with a "mild" pre-eclampsia may feel perfectly well. Therefore, it is important to attend all prenatal checkups to spot this condition early. The symptoms of severe pre-eclampsia, which can develop during the last weeks of pregnancy, are high blood pressure, headaches, blurred vision, intolerance of bright light, nausea and vomiting and excessive swelling of the feet and hands.

What is the treatment for pre-eclampsia?

The only cure is delivery of the baby. When pre-eclampsia develops, the mother and her baby are monitored carefully. That means blood pressure should be monitored twice daily, frequent monitoring of urinary protein excretion, weight change and symptoms are mandatory. There are medications and treatments that may prolong the pregnancy, which can increase the baby's chances of health and survival.

Why is magnesium sulfate used for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia?

This drug typically is used in obstetrics to prevent severe pre-eclampsia from becoming eclampsia (life-threatening convulsions). It also is used to stop the convulsions of eclampsia. In the United States, it has been used to treat severe pre-eclampsia for 60 years (Lancet, 1997, Vol. 350, p. 1491) and is FDA-approved for this purpose.

What is the definition of eclampsia?

Main Entry: eclamp sia Pronunciation: i-'klam (r) - sE-and Function: noun C.: New Latin, from Greek eklampsis sudden flashing of lights in eklampein states of the former shone in lampein + Date: about 1860 : a convulsive state; features: an attack of convulsions during pregnancy and parturition - eclamp tic / I-'klam (r) - tik / adjective Merriam-Webster dictionary on the Internet

What are the risks of pre-eclampsia to the baby and me?

Pre-eclampsia can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood. If the placenta doesn't get enough blood, the baby gets less air and food. This can cause low birth weight and other problems for the baby. Most women with pre-eclampsia still deliver healthy babies. A few develop a condition called eclampsia, which is very serious for the mother and baby, or other serious problems. Fortunately, pre-eclampsia is usually detected early in women who get regular prenatal care, and most problems can be prevented.

Can pre-eclampsia be prevented?

Pre Eclampsia does not seem to be a disease which can be prevented by regulating lifestyle factors such as what a woman eats, whether or not she smokes or drinks, how hard she works, how much exercise or rest she undertakes, how anxious or relaxed she is, and so on. Moreover, there is also some evidence to suggest that calcium supplements may decrease the risk of Pre-eclampsia, especially in mothers living in areas deficient in dietary calcium. ...

When does pre-eclampsia occur in a pregnancy?

Pre-eclampsia can appear at any time during the pregnancy, delivery and up to six weeks post-partum, though it most frequently occurs in the final trimester and resolves within 48 hours of delivery. Pre-eclampsia can develop gradually, or come on quite suddenly, though the signs and symptoms may have been present for months undetected or unnoticed.

Are there alternatives to magnesium sulfate in treating pre-eclampsia?

Magnesium sulfate is widely used in the United States to prevent convulsions from severe pre-eclampsia. In Europe and Australia, the most popular choices are: diazepam, phenytoin, chlormethiazole and barbituates. Return to index Treating Preterm Labor

What preventive therapy is recommended for patients at high risk for pre-eclampsia?

Low dose aspirin is recommended for selected high risk patients. Calcium is less certain. (WORD 74k)
Source: www.ihs.gov

Are there any long-term effects from pre-eclampsia?

For most mothers, delivery will reverse all the effects of Pre Eclampsia. Some women who have suffered Pre-eclampsia during pregnancy may develop high blood pressure later in life. This is thought to be caused by a genetic tendency to high blood pressure rather than to have been caused by the Pre-eclampsia itself. For babies, only if the babies have suffered severe nutrient starvation or oxygen deprivation in the womb or have been troubled by complications of pre-maturity. ...
For most mothers, delivery will reverse all the effects of Pre Eclampsia. Some women who have suffered Pre-eclampsia during pregnancy may develop high blood pressure later in life. This is thought to be caused by a genetic tendency to high blood pressure rather than to have been caused by the Pre-eclampsia itself. For babies, only if the babies have suffered severe nutrient starvation or oxygen deprivation in the womb or have been troubled by complications of pre-maturity. ...

Does high blood pressure mean I have pre-eclampsia?

Not necessarily. If your doctor sees that your blood pressure is high, he or she will watch you closely for changes that could mean you have pre-eclampsia. In addition to high blood pressure, women who have pre-eclampsia also have excessive swelling. They may also have protein in their urine. Many women with high blood pressure during pregnancy don't have protein in their urine or extreme swelling, and don't get pre-eclampsia. If you have high blood pressure daily blood pressure monitoring is very important.

Are all seizures occuring during pregnancy due to eclampsia?

It can also be due to small clots that block blood vessels in the brain and restrict oxygen or due to genetic risks.

I have developed pre-eclampsia during my pregnancy. Will it go after the birth of my baby?

Pre-eclampsia is a fairly common (10%) complication of a first pregnancy. Although there are many theories nobody knows exactly why women develop it. The most effective way of dealing with pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby and if the pregnancy is well advanced this solution poses no difficulty for the mother and baby. It may however pose problems if the baby is very premature. Pre-eclampsia almost invariably settles within the first six weeks of giving birth and usually will no re-occur. ...

I'm pregnant and my doctor says my blood pressure is high. Does this mean I have pre-eclampsia?

Not necessarily. Pre-eclampsia is almost always accompanied by other symptoms, such as protein in your urine and excessive swelling. Your doctor will continue to monitor your blood pressure and watch out for these symptoms. If they don't develop, then you probably won't get pre-eclampsia. If you start out your pregnancy with high blood pressure, then you are more at risk to develop pre-eclampsia than the general population.

If I develop pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, will I continue to have high blood pressure after giving birth?

It depends. Women who develop pre-eclampsia close to their due date do not seem to have higher risk of blood pressure problems in the future. By contrast, women with early onset pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of heart problems and high blood pressure.
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