Eclampsia | Health Encyclopedia: Eclampsia

Eclampsia: From 5 Different Sources

Pre-eclampsia. Toxaemia of last 3 months of pregnancy. Due to a number of causes, one of which is calcium deficiency. Calcium controls muscular spasms that are a feature of the condition. Eclampsia is due, in part, to a traffic jam of blood through the placenta causing a compensatory rise in blood pressure. Black women run 12 times the risk of developing pre-eclampsia during their first pregnancy as non-black women. (American researchers)

Women who use barrier contraceptives are more than twice as likely to develop pre-eclampsia in pregnancy than those using non-barrier methods. (North Carolina Memorial Hospital)

Symptoms. Headache, dizziness, nausea, upper abdominal pain, twitching of face and limbs, albumin in the urine. Extreme cases: high blood pressure, rigidity, congestive heart failure.

Treatment. Hospitalisation. To be treated by qualified obstetrician.

Formula. Cramp bark 2; Motherwort 1; Black Cohosh 1. Dose: Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon). Liquid extracts: one to two 5ml teaspoons. Tinctures: 1-3 teaspoons. Hourly, or more frequently as tolerated; in water or honey. Magnesium sulphate for fits.

Suppression of urine. Dilation of kidney arterioles to increase flow of blood and to re-start kidney function.

Bearberry (Uva Ursi) tea. 1-2 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; 1 cup freely. Bearberry Liquid extract. 2-4ml hourly, or as tolerated, in water or honey.

White Willow. Conventional treatment places high-risk women on low-dose aspirin therapy. As White Willow is a source of natural aspirin, it would appear to offer some benefit. White Willow reduces platelet aggregation, and encourages placental blood flow. Aspirin of pharmacy cuts the risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure by two-thirds.

Diet. Pre-eclampsia: oily fish or fish oil supplements. (Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1990, 97 (12) 1077-79)

Supplements. Calcium. Magnesium.

Note: A serious condition which can be fatal but which can be prevented by regular antenatal examinations by a qualified obstetrician.

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia

A rare, but serious condition that develops in late pregnancy, during labour, or after delivery. Eclampsia is characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, oedema, and the development of seizures; it threatens the life of both the mother and the baby. Eclampsia occurs as a complication of moderate or severe (but not mild) pre-eclampsia, The warning symptoms of impending eclampsia include headaches, confusion, blurred or disturbed vision, and abdominal pain. If untreated, seizures can then occur and may be followed by coma. Levels of blood platelets may fall severely, resulting in bleeding; liver and kidney function may be affected.

Careful monitoring of blood pressure and proteinuria throughout pregnancy ensures prompt treatment of impending eclampsia.

Immediate delivery, often by caesarian section, together with antihypertensive and anticonvulsant drugs is needed.

Patients may need intensive care to prevent the development of complications such as kidney failure.

Blood pressure often returns to normal in the months after delivery, but it may remain high.

There is a risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

An attack of convulsion associated with hypertension in pregnancy

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

A rare disorder in which convulsions occur during late pregnancy (see also PREGNANCY AND LABOUR – Increased blood pressure). This condition occurs in around 50 out of every 100,000 pregnant women, especially in the later months and at the time of delivery, but in a few cases only after delivery has taken place. The cause is not known, although cerebral OEDEMA is thought to occur. In practically all cases the KIDNEYS are profoundly affected. E?ective antenatal care should identify most women at risk of developing eclampsia.

Symptoms Warning symptoms include dizziness, headache, oedema, vomiting, and the secretion of albumin (protein) in the urine. These are normally accompanied by a rise in blood pressure, which can be severe. Preeclamptic symptoms may be present for some days or weeks before the seizure takes place, and, if a woman is found to have these during antenatal care, preventive measures must be taken. Untreated, CONVULSIONS and unconsciousness are very likely, with serious migraine-like frontal headache and epigastric pain the symptoms.

Treatment Prevention of eclampsia by dealing with pre-eclamptic symptoms is the best management, but even this may not prevent convulsions. Hospital treatment is essential if eclampsia develops, preferably in a specialist unit. The treatment of the seizures is that generally applicable to convulsions of any kind, with appropriate sedatives given such as intravenous DIAZEPAM. HYDRALLAZINE intravenously should also be administered to reduce the blood pressure. Magnesium sulphate given intramuscularly sometimes helps to control the ?ts. The baby’s condition should be monitored throughout.

Urgent delivery of the baby, if necessary by CAESAREAN SECTION, is the most e?ective ‘treatment’ for a mother with acute eclampsia. (See PREGNANCY AND LABOUR.)

Women who have suffered from eclampsia are liable to suffer a recurrence in a further preganancy. Careful monitoring is required. There is a self-help organisation, Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC), to advise on the condition.

Health Source: Medicinal Plants Glossary
Author: Health Dictionary

n. the occurrence of one or more convulsions not caused by other conditions, such as epilepsy or cerebral haemorrhage, in a woman with *pre-eclampsia. The onset of convulsions may be preceded by a sudden rise in blood pressure and/or a sudden increase in *oedema and development of *oliguria. The convulsions are usually followed by coma. Eclampsia is a threat to the life of both mother and baby and must be treated immediately.

Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Pre-eclampsia

A complication of pregnancy (see PREGNANCY AND LABOUR), of unknown cause, which in severe cases may proceed to ECLAMPSIA. It is characterised by HYPERTENSION, renal impairment, OEDEMA, often with PROTEINURIA and disseminated intravascular coagulation. It usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy – mild cases (without proteinuria) occurring in about 10 per cent of pregnancies, severe cases in about 2 per cent. Predisposing factors include a ?rst pregnancy, or pregnancy by a new partner; a family history of pre-eclampsia, hypertension, or other cardiovascular disorders; and preexisting hypertension or DIABETES MELLITUS. Increased incidence with lower socio-economic class may be linked to diet or to failure to attend for antenatal care. Although less common in smokers, fetal outlook is worse. Multiple pregnancy and HYDATIDIFORM MOLE, together with hydrops fetalis (see HAEMOLYTIC DISEASE OF THE NEWBORN), predispose to early and severe pre-eclampsia.

Treatment Severe pre-eclampsia is an emergency, and urgent admission to hospital should be arranged. Treatment should be given to control the hypertension; the fetal heart rate carefully monitored; and in very severe cases urgent CAESAREAN SECTION may be necessary.... pre-eclampsia

Eclampsia Health Dictionary

Eclampsia: From 5 Different Sources

Pre-eclampsia

Recent Searches