Hypertension that is induced during pregnancy is called toxemia. Roughly 6 to 7 percent woman suffer from this condition during pregnancy. This article provides information about the various symptoms and treatment options available for this condition.
Toxemia is a condition where, hypertension is induced due to pregnancy. If left untreated, it can lead to pre-eclampsia, followed by eclampsia, and thereafter it can turn into a serious complication known as HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome. When the blood pressure reading of a pregnant women is over 140/90 along with protein in the urine and hyper- reflexia, then the women is said to be suffering from this condition. It generally occurs after 20th week of gestation, and is mostly seen in the first pregnancy. Medical research shows that, there are some women who are more prone to this condition than others. These include women who are conceiving after the age of forty, women with eating disorders, and women carrying multiple fetuses.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of this condition are:
- Persistent high blood pressure
- Presence of protein in urine
- Fluid retention
- Swelling of hands, face, and ankles
- Severe headache
- Blurry vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Hyper-Reflexia
- Diarrhea
- Blood in urine
- Severe and intense abdominal pain
- Abnormal and sudden weight gain
- Myalgia
- Disorientation and hallucination
- Acid reflux
- Conjunctivitis
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular bowel movement
- Pharyngitis
The condition is detrimental to the health of both the mother and the child, as it restricts the flow of blood to the placenta. This may rupture the placenta, which may cause seizures in the mother. This condition may prove fatal for both the mother and the child.
Treatment
Since it can lead to various complications in pregnancy, pregnant women should regularly get themselves checked. The best treatment for this condition is to take adequate rest and follow a good diet. All sources of protein like red meat, baked beans, and lentils need to be cut down, and there should be more fruits, vegetables, soups, and salads in the diet. The woman should reduce the intake of sodium, and consume a salt-free diet. The gynecologist might prescribe magnesium sulfate to reduce hyper-reflexia, which decreases the risk of seizures.
Preventive Measures
Since the exact cause of this condition is not known, presently there are no conclusive treatments to prevent it. But, some factors like diet control and exercise can help to combat the symptoms of this condition. Here are some ways, by which one can stay healthy during pregnancy and keep the blood pressure in check.
- Reduce the intake of salt
- Avoid alcoholic drink
- Drink 7 – 8 glasses of water a day
- Limit the intake of caffeine
- Elevate your legs while sleeping
- Get adequate rest
- Avoid stress, and meditate
- Do some light exercises daily
- Avoid eating junk and fried foods
Symptoms of Intestinal Toxemia
There is another kind of toxemia that is called intestinal toxemia. It is a kind of poisoning that occurs in the digestive tract. When the food products ferment or decompose, it leads to the formation of toxins, which are absorbed by the body. Generally, this condition occurs when the enzymes necessary for digestion are not able to break down and process the food. The symptoms of this condition are:
- Fatigue
- Lower back pain and sciatica
- Headaches
- Irritability and loss of concentration
- Arthritis
- Ear, nose, and throat allergies
- Gastro intestinal problems
- Hallucination and delirium
Intestinal toxemia can be prevented by proper chewing of food, avoiding overeating, and reducing the consumption of red meat. Pregnant women should also have a healthy diet, and they should avoid strenuous activity during pregnancy, to avoid any complications.
