The concept of “gestosis” arose in medicine in 1996, before that all the painful symptoms and rather dangerous conditions that sometimes occur in the second half of pregnancy were combined by the term “late toxicosis”. Unlike early toxicosis, in the vast majority of cases not posing a serious threat to the woman and the fetus, gestosis is a rather formidable complication of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is a deep disorder of the functions of the vital organs and systems of the expectant mother, which most often occurs against the background of pre-existing diseases: hypertension, diseases of the kidneys, liver and biliary tract, endocrine diseases, etc. Sometimes late preeclampsia occurs in women who, prior to pregnancy, did not have chronic diseases or any serious health problems.
6 Preeclampsia Signs you need to know
Preeclampsia can manifest itself in different ways: both in the form of very serious conditions that are impossible to miss, and in the form of symptoms that, at first glance, do not pose a serious threat, but which, nevertheless, can hide very big problems.
Symptoms of preeclampsia are as follows:
Edema of pregnant women – this problem may be related to preeclampsia, but may not be associated with it. Quite often, minor swelling of the lower extremities is a variant of the norm and does not pose any danger to the expectant mother. It is advisable to tell about them to the doctor who observes the pregnancy. In no case should you self-medicate, taking, for example, diuretics? This can aggravate the problem, make diagnosis difficult at an early stage, and lead to catastrophic consequences.
Increased blood pressure, the appearance of protein in the urine, swelling – a “triad” of symptoms that should alert the doctor and require a more thorough examination, observation and, if necessary, treatment.
Preeclampsia – is mild, moderate and severe. In severe cases, the symptoms of central nervous system damage are added to the above symptoms: severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, pain in the epigastric region, visual impairment, painful psychological reactions.
Eclampsia is a very serious and life-threatening condition, a characteristic symptom of which are skeletal muscle cramps. During seizures, blood pressure rises sharply and there is a threat of a stroke in a pregnant woman. The child may be threatened with death due to premature detachment of the placenta.
Diagnosis and treatment of preeclampsia
Timely diagnosis and treatment started on time, which the doctor prescribes strictly individually, based on laboratory tests and instrumental studies, allows you to keep the situation under control. Therefore, it is very important to regularly visit a doctor observing a pregnancy, to undergo all examinations on his recommendation.
If the doctor suspects preeclampsia in a pregnant woman, then with mild forms, treatment will be prescribed at home, more severe forms will require hospitalization. In stationary conditions, doctors will do everything possible to restore the functions of vital organs and eliminate the danger that threatens the mother and baby.
Sometimes, in the most severe cases, when treatment is ineffective, and the condition of the pregnant woman and the baby worsens, the doctor may recommend early delivery. But doctors use this last resort only after other possibilities have been exhausted.
