Affecting 3% to 5% of women, preeclampsia is the most sever complication in pregnancy and is the leading cause of fetal and maternal death. Within that 3 to 5 percent the most commonly affected by preeclampsia are teens, women with diabetes and African American women. Preeclampsia is a disease unique to pregnancy and is classified as a multisystem disease because not only does it affect the most obvious body system, the reproductive system, it also affects the nervous and respiratory system among others. Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension, proteinuria (protein in the urine) and edema. The onset of these characteristics is usually seen after 20 weeks gestation and can last into the postpartum period of pregnancy. In most cases the first sign of preeclampsia is excessive weight gain and more times than not is overlooked because weight gain is normal in pregnancy. Severe persistent headaches and changes in vision are other symptoms of preeclampsia. In the more severe cases patients have also reported severe abdominal pain.
Though Preeclampsia is not a newly discovered disease with research dated back to the ancient times, researchers have yet to find an exact cause. Though there …show more content…
HELLP Syndrome is characterized by the malfunctioning of the liver and blood clotting systems of the body, caused by the breakdown of red blood cells (Hemolysis), an extremely high level of enzymes in the liver and a low platelet count. Although present in Preeclampsia and Eclampsia vomiting and Nausea are more prominent in this form of the disease. Women with HELLP Syndrome will also develop hemolytic anemia resulting from the low number of blood cells caused by the hemolysis. Ultimately the only “real” cure for Preeclampsia/Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome is delivery, and in general delivery is
Though Preeclampsia is not a newly discovered disease with research dated back to the ancient times, researchers have yet to find an exact cause. Though there …show more content…
HELLP Syndrome is characterized by the malfunctioning of the liver and blood clotting systems of the body, caused by the breakdown of red blood cells (Hemolysis), an extremely high level of enzymes in the liver and a low platelet count. Although present in Preeclampsia and Eclampsia vomiting and Nausea are more prominent in this form of the disease. Women with HELLP Syndrome will also develop hemolytic anemia resulting from the low number of blood cells caused by the hemolysis. Ultimately the only “real” cure for Preeclampsia/Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome is delivery, and in general delivery is