Eclampsia is a rare but severe condition usually found among pregnant women. It’s a serious complication of preeclampsia, which causes high blood pressure and episodes of seizures. It can be fatal, and it is highly recommended to visit your doctor for eclampsia diagnosis and treat it in time to avoid serious health concerns. A study says about 1 in 200 women with preeclampsia suffers from eclampsia as well. Seizures, high blood pressure, convulsions, episodes of staring, and decreased alertness are some of the common symptoms of eclampsia.
We will explore diagnosis methods to identify the disease and treat the same.
Diagnosis of Eclampsia
- There are warning signs before a seizure. People should take note of certain signs that might lead to episodes of seizures due to eclampsia. Unbearable headaches, vomiting, nausea, difficulty in breathing, abdominal pain on the upper-right side, problems in urinating or urinating less than usual, loss of vision or blurred vision, and swelling of the hands, ankles or face are some of the most common symptoms.
- Losing consciousness, severe confusion or distress and seizures are also some of the common symptoms of the illness. People experiencing any of these must consult a medical expert for eclampsia diagnosis to ensure immediate treatment according to the patient’s situation.
- Generally, eclampsia develops from preeclampsia. Preeclampsia shoots up blood pressure, puts additional pressure on blood vessels, and can cause brain swelling that leads to episodes of seizures. Genetics and diet can also aggravate the risk of developing eclampsia.
- The diagnosis begins with the presence of symptoms of a seizure. The obstetrician runs some tests, evaluates blood and other reports, and monitors blood pressure for supportive treatment of eclampsia. Doctors can also prescribe urine tests to check increased protein levels in urine samples.
- Eclampsia diagnosis tests include blood, urine, and creatinine tests for patient profiling and suggesting suitable treatment.
- Blood tests are done to check the numbers of red blood cells, platelet counts and other vital elements in the blood.
- Urine tests are conducted to check protein content in urine. Keeping blood counts and protein in urine within standard range is crucial. Any abnormalities in numbers can be a cause of health concerns.
- Creatinine tests are done to check the health of your kidneys. It’s a waste product that kidneys filter out of blood in humans. If the numbers of creatinine are abnormally high, it could be a sign of kidney failure or severe condition.
- The doctor monitors the foetus, checks heart rate and movement in the mother’s womb, and observes other vital factors with ultrasound. It helps to ensure that mother and child are tolerating pregnancy well.