Mild preeclampsia is a common condition in pregnant women characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It can affect the mother’s health and the child’s development, and the only cure is childbirth. Risk factors include being a first-time mother, having a family history of the condition, and having gestational diabetes. To reduce the chances of developing mild preeclampsia, doctors recommend a balanced diet, low-impact exercise, and proper hydration.
Mild preeclampsia is a condition that occurs in pregnant women characterized by both high blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine. Also known as toxemia, it typically occurs during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. A diagnosis of preeclampsia is made when the mother’s blood pressure exceeds 140 or above 90 and there is more than 0.3 grams of protein in her urine. While mild preeclampsia is the most common form of the condition, if other symptoms present during this time, the diagnosis may be changed to indicate severe preeclampsia.
Mild preeclampsia can occur after a woman is past the 20th week of pregnancy, although it usually develops until the 37th week. Presence of the condition before the 20th week is possible, but it often indicates other, more serious complications with the pregnancy. While the symptoms of the disorder can be relieved, the only cure for mild preeclampsia is childbirth, at which time blood pressure and protein levels will begin to return to normal levels.
Elevated blood pressure is one of the two main symptoms of mild preeclampsia. It is caused when blood vessels in the body start to decrease in size or narrow. As the vessels continue to narrow, the pressure increases and blood flow to various organs in the body, especially the brain, liver and kidneys, can begin to decrease. As each organ begins to be affected, decreased blood flow can impair their functional ability, adversely affecting the mother’s health and the child’s development.
The second main symptom of mild preeclampsia is high levels of protein in the mother’s urine. As blood vessels continue to narrow, the added pressure of blood flow can begin to cause small fluid leaks into the surrounding tissue. When this occurs in or around the kidneys, the bloodstream protein leaks out of the blood vessels and is excreted in the urine. Reduced protein levels in the mother’s body can also severely impair the development of the unborn child.
While the precise cause of preeclampsia is unknown, there are several factors that may contribute to a woman’s risk factors for developing the condition during pregnancy. The condition is very common in younger mothers, especially teenage mothers, and in women giving birth for the first time. Mild preeclampsia can also occur frequently in women who have a history of the condition in their immediate family or who also have gestational diabetes.
Some of the best ways to reduce your chances of developing mild preeclampsia during pregnancy are to limit your salt intake and avoid high-fat foods. Doctors also recommend starting or maintaining a low-impact exercise routine, eating a balanced diet, and taking steps to ensure proper hydration. In cases where a number of risk factors are present, prescription drugs and other supplements may be prescribed to help reduce the chances of developing the disorder.
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