What is eclampsia?
Eclampsia is a rare condition that affects one in 2,000 to 3,000 pregnant women each year. Apart from this, one in 200 women suffering from preeclampsia develops eclampsia. This occurs when pregnant women suffering from preeclampsia develop a serious condition like seizure or coma.
Even if a woman has never had a problem of seizure before, she can still have eclampsia. Currently some agencies are researching the subject to know what is the exact cause of this disease and how it can be prevented and treated. If this disease is not treated, it can take a dangerous form.
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Symptoms Of Eclampsia
Since preeclampsia can cause eclampsia, a pregnant woman may show symptoms of both conditions. If you are suffering from any health problem, then definitely tell the doctor about it, so that they can identify the possible causes. Before eclampsia, let's know about the symptoms of preeclampsia:
- High BP
- Swelling in the face or hands
- Headache
- Excessive weight gain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Eyes-related problems including low vision or blurred vision
- Difficulty urinating
- Stomach pain (especially on the upper right side of the stomach)
Patients of eclampsia may also show the symptoms mentioned above or it may also happen that no symptoms appear before the onset of eclampsia. Common symptoms of eclampsia include:
- Seizures
- Extreme nervousness
- Unconsciousness
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Causes of Eclampsia
Eclampsia often occurs after preeclampsia, in which there is a problem of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Apart from this, protein may also appear in the urine in this condition. If the condition of preeclampsia worsens and it starts affecting the brain, then seizures occur and this condition is known as eclampsia.
Doctors have not yet been able to find out the exact cause of preeclampsia, but they believe that this may happen due to abnormal formation of the umbilical cord and its abnormal functioning. Apart from this, there may be some other factors:
- Blood vessel problems
- Factors related to the brain and nervous system (neurological)
- Diet
- Genes
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Treatment of Eclampsia
The only way to cure the symptoms of eclampsia is to get the pregnant woman delivered. Continuing pregnancy with eclampsia can lead to complications. Before delivery, the doctor takes into account the following things:
- The doctor considers the severity of the disease as well as the development of the baby in the womb before deciding the time of delivery.
- If the doctor diagnoses you with mild symptoms of preeclampsia, he may monitor the condition continuously and prescribe medication to prevent the condition from turning into eclampsia.
- For women suffering from severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, the doctor may suggest early delivery. The care plan for the affected woman will depend on the severity of the disease and the pregnancy.
- As a treatment, the doctor may prescribe medication to prevent seizures.
- Apart from this, they can also prescribe medication to control high blood pressure. If the blood pressure still remains high, then delivery may be required.
- In most cases, the symptoms of eclampsia resolve on their own within six weeks after the birth of the child. However, in rare cases, it can cause permanent damage to vital organs. This is why pregnant women should always report any symptoms they notice during pregnancy to their doctor.
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Summary
Eclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition that occurs when preeclampsia progresses. In this condition, the pregnant woman may have high blood pressure as well as seizures, which can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. Immediate medical help is required in this condition. To reduce the risk of eclampsia, it is important to get regular blood pressure checks, eat a healthy diet, and take medicines as advised by the doctor during pregnancy. If eclampsia is suspected, hospitalization should be done without delay.
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Doctors for Key Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Eclampsia During Pregnancy

Dr. Ayushi Gandhi
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
4 Years of Experience

Dr. Anjali
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
23 Years of Experience

Dr.Anuja Ojha
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
20 Years of Experience
