Preeclampsia is a condition that can occur during pregnancy that is marked by high maternal blood pressure. When high blood pressure is accompanied by certain proteins in the urine, the mother is said to have preeclampsia. Some possible preeclampsia causes are genetics and certain illnesses. Nutrition and body fat composition can also lead to preeclampsia. This condition can be very dangerous for the mother and her unborn child but with a proper diagnosis, most cases can be controlled without leading to major complications.
One of the more common preeclampsia causes is poor blood flow to the uterus. There may also be a genetic component because many women who experience preeclampsia have mothers who were also diagnosed with this condition during their pregnancies. Women older than 40 or younger than 20 have a higher incidence of preeclampsia. First pregnancies and multiple pregnancies are also more likely to suffer from this condition. Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease and chronic hypertension are also possible preeclampsia causes
High body fat can make a woman more likely to develop preeclampsia, in addition to developing other illnesses that are known preeclampsia causes, such as gestational diabetes. Poor nutrition can also play a role. Consuming too much or not enough protein can increase the risk of preeclampsia. A lack of magnesium also can increase the risk. Magnesium sulfate is often administered to women with this condition to help prevent further complications.
Less than ten percent of pregnant women have preeclampsia, but the dangers are so serious that pregnant women are routinely screened for this condition in the United States. Preeclampsia causes high blood pressure and elevated levels of protein in the urine of pregnant women. Blood pressure readings and urine samples are collected at prenatal appointments to check for the presence of preeclampsia after twenty weeks of gestation. High blood pressure alone can be caused by other factors such as stress and diet so doctors sometimes monitor blood pressure over a period of several hours or days. Urine samples also might be collected over a period of several hours in order to compare the protein levels.
Severe swelling is often present in women with preeclampsia. Other symptoms of preeclampsia include frequent headaches, blurred vision and dizziness. Some of these symptoms are similar to regular pregnancy symptoms, so women should consult with their doctors to see if further testing is necessary.
In most cases, women with preeclampsia give birth to healthy babies. Delivering the baby is the only cure for preeclampsia so a severe case sometimes warrants a Caesarean section or induced labor. If it is too early for the baby to be born, bed rest and medication to lower blood pressure might be prescribed. Uncontrolled preeclampsia can result in complications such as placental abruption, low birth weight, seizures and death. That’s why diagnosing and controlling this condition is so important.
