Both preeclampsia and eclampsia are pregnancy-related conditions. The latter occurs due to the progression of the former. The key difference between preeclampsia and eclampsia is the severity of the conditions, as eclampsia can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. The two also have differences in their diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition that occurs after about 20 weeks of gestation. If the woman has high blood pressure, protein in her urine, or other underlying health issues such as diabetes or kidney damage, then it can be diagnosed as preeclampsia.
Some common symptoms of this disorder include consistent headaches, swelling in the hands, faces, and legs, pain in the upper abdomen, blurry vision, shortness of breath, and nausea or vomiting.
Although an uncommon occurrence, eclampsia refers to a severe condition that can develop in women with preeclampsia. Eclampsia occurs when preeclampsia worsens, and the individual begins to experience seizures. Seizures can be defined by extreme shaking and confusion as a result of strange brain activity.
If not diagnosed and treated in time, eclampsia can cause various life-threatening problems such as brain damage or coma. This can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby.
Preeclampsia:
This can be diagnosed through various tests that can be conducted by your doctor. These tests include:
Eclampsia:
When a woman with preeclampsia experiences seizures, it can be diagnosed as suffering from eclampsia. Apart from this, the doctors can also run additional tests, similar to the diagnostic tests for preeclampsia, to identify any underlying conditions.
Preeclampsia:
The symptoms of preeclampsia include upper abdominal pain, headaches, swelling, trouble breathing, nausea, confusion, visual disturbances, and increased anxiety.
Eclampsia:
Eclampsia has all the same symptoms as preeclampsia. The only differentiating symptom is that women with eclampsia also have seizures. During these, the women lose their consciousness and experience various jerky movements.
Preeclampsia:
In most cases, preeclampsia is of mild severity. However, even when the condition is severe, it can be monitored and managed with ease.
Eclampsia:
This condition needs immediate medical attention as it can cause various life-threatening problems for both the baby and the mother.
Preeclampsia:
A woman suffering from preeclampsia can be given blood pressure medications to better control hypertension. Along with this, bed rest and a possible early delivery are also treatment options for preeclampsia.
Eclampsia:
Some doses of magnesium sulfate are given to control and prevent seizures, and the woman is closely monitored. However, the immediate delivery of the baby is the only way to treat this condition.
While both preeclampsia and eclampsia do not cause any long-term challenges for fertility, they can create various complications for pregnancies.
Preeclampsia:
Eclampsia:
The exact causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia are still unknown; hence, they cannot always be prevented. However, constant monitoring and early detection can help greatly. Here are the preventions in detail for Preeclampsia Vs Eclampsia.
Preeclampsia:
Eclampsia:
While the two may seem similar, preeclampsia is a much less severe form of eclampsia. If you experience the symptoms of any of the two conditions, contact a doctor at Indira IVF Clinic immediately. We are here to make sure that you can carry out a successful pregnancy with minimal complications and the complete safety of you and your child.
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