Skip to main content

Pre-eclampsia; the causes and sequel of the condition

WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY PTT. THOMAS ADJEI BIO ON

  PRE-ECLAMPSIA 
What is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia as the name implies, is a warning sign of eclamsia.
We know that "pre" means a state before something else occurs. In this contest, pre-eclampsia means a condition that occurs at the initial stage prior to eclamsia, that's, if maximum attention is not taken could lead to eclamsia.
It is a condition that occurs within 20 weeks after pregnancy in pregnant women characterized by  development of high blood pressure, protein in urine(proteinuria)and fluid retention in their feet and hands. It is also known as toxemia.
If it's not managed as soon as possible, it may lead to eclamsia as said earlier, which is most severe form that comes along with seizure as well as liver failure, and future cardiovascular problems.
What are the signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia??
Pre-eclampsia can be mild or severe.
Mild preeclampsia: high blood pressure, water retention, and protein in the urine.
Severe preeclampsia: headaches, blurred vision, inability to tolerate bright light, fatigue , nausea/vomiting, urinating small amounts, pain in the upper right abdomen, shortness of breath, and tendency to bruise easily.
It is important to see your doctor as soon as possible if any of the above symptoms are seen.
How is pre-eclampsia treated medically?
Treatment depends on how close you are to your due date. If you are close to your due date, and the baby is developed enough, your health care provider will probably want to deliver your baby as soon as possible.
If you have mild preeclampsia and your baby has not reached full development, your doctor will probably recommend you do the following:
{}Rest, lying on your left side to take the weight of the baby off your major blood vessels.
{}Increase prenatal checkups.
{}Consume less salt
{}Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
{}Change your diet to include more protein.
The following may increase the risk of developing preeclampsia:
1.A first-time mom
2.Previous experience with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia
3.Women whose sisters and mothers had pre-eclampsia(Genetic factor)
4.Women carrying multiple babies
5.Women younger than 20 years and . than age 40
6.Women who had high blood pressure or kidney disease prior to pregnancy
7.Women who are obese or have a BMI of 30 or greater

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT.
Mostly, physiotherapy management would have to be considered most appropriate in pre-eclampsia, due to fatigue, headaches, swelling of feet, and breathing difficulties that may accompanies the condition.

¤ CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE EXERCISE:
With severe fatigue during walking or any other activities, physiotherapist would prescribe endurance exercise such as use of stationary bikes, treadmills, etc and encourage
brisk walking, and other low intensity cardiovascular exercises tolerable  for the pregnant woman to be done in the home. This very exercise would improve cardiovascular function and also helps maintain the normal blood pressure.

¤Extremity elevation and massage.
It always advisable to elevate the swollen extremity above the heart level with pillow or sling to prevent further swelling. Lymphatic massage is equally important to dissolve the swelling present.

LYMPHATIC MASSAGE
Steps :
1.Have patient in a comfortable position (supine lying)
2.Elevate the swollen extremity with pillow.
3.Using your fingers or the thumb, apply deep compression force and massage towards the heart.
¤Deep breathing exercise is most appropriate to prevent breathing difficulties.

DEEP BREATHING EXERCISE.
STEP.
While in a very comfortable sitting, or standing position, take in oxygen through the nose. Make sure the abdomen does not rise more than the chest.
Exhale all the inhaled air through the mouth. Repeat the procedure for about three times.

¤MOBILIZATION:
When there is swelling, adhesions are likely to occurs at the joints. So frequent mobility of the part is required. Therefore, passive and active mobilization of the joints are necessary to avoid contracture at the joint. This would be helpful in managing joint stiffness in pre-eclampsia.
Thanks for reading this article, if it was helpful, share immediately.

ARTICLE BY:
THOMAS ADJEI BIO, TAB,
PTA(Pending).
©TAB, 2019.









Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Physiotherapy as a profession, what it is about

WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY PTT. THOMAS ADJEI BIO ON
                    INTRODUCTION   It is quite sad why in this recent times, when physiotherapy has impacted so much on illnesses, pains, deformities, and disabilities, many populates do not know what physiotherapy is about.  Those who study physiotherapy becomes physiotherapist and physiotherapy technician depending on the level of qualification. In the local entity, many people refer physiotherapist or physiotherapist technician as the "Doctors of bone" and for some, they are  " Doctors of massage ". These are all not the real work of the Two professionals. It high time people are educated on what physiotherapy really entails. People who get into the physiotherapy profession,as earlier stated are trained to become physiotherapist and physiotherapy technician with degree and diploma qualifications respectively. DEFINITION OF PHYSIOTHERAPY   Physiotherapy as a profession, gathers non-invasive te...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lumbar spondylosis is a major contributing factor for low back pain

WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY PTT. THOMAS ADJEI BIO ON
                Fig. from google                LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS  The spine contains about 31 vertebrae bones. Cervical (7), thoracic (12),Lumbar(5),Sacral(4),Coccyx (3). These bones lie on each other and separated from each other by cartilage containing fluid-filled substance called synovial fluid. This cartilage is found on the surfaces of each of the vertebrae bones articulating with each other in providing cushioning and serves as shock absorbers. It also prevents the bones from kissing each other, that may cause inflammation. Lumbar spondylosis is described as all degenerative conditions affecting the lumbar spine. This degenerative conditions may be disc degeneration, disc herniation, osteophytes growth, foramina stenosis and other inflammatory conditions affecting the lumbar spine. Lumbar spondylosis can affect persons as young as 20yrs. It can be seen as a cascade -Anatomical changes...
1 comment
Read more

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a median nerve problem

WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY PTT. THOMAS ADJEI BIO ON
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME . What's Carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel SYNDROME is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, resulting in wrist pain and numbness or feeling of tingling sensation in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and lateral half of the ring finger. The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger and lateral half of the ring finger.  What could cause carpal tunnel SYNDROME?  CTS has no known cause but certain lifestyle could increase one's risk. Who is at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome? People at risk are those with jobs or activities that involve repetitive finger use, especially those associated with high force, long-term use, extreme wrist motions and vibration. However, many factors may contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. They include: 1.Heredity (smaller carpal tunnels can run in families) 2.Pregnancy 3.Hemodialysis(a process where the blood is...
Post a Comment
Read more