preeclampsia
Noun: A medical condition occurring in some pregnant women, typically after the 20th week of gestation, marked by high blood pressure (hypertension), significant swelling (edema) from fluid retention, and the presence of protein in the urine (proteinuria or albuminuria). It is a serious disorder that, if left untreated, can progress to the more severe and life-threatening condition known as eclampsia.
Preeclampsia is used specifically as a medical term to diagnose and describe this pregnancy complication. * The patient was diagnosed with preeclampsia and admitted for monitoring. * Regular prenatal checkups screen for signs of preeclampsia. * The primary symptoms of preeclampsia are high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
- Severe preeclampsia: A more advanced form of the condition, which may involve symptoms like severe headaches, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain, impaired liver function, low platelet count, or significantly elevated blood pressure.
- Due to the onset of severe preeclampsia, an early delivery was medically necessary.
- Preeclampsia can lead to/ progress to eclampsia: This phrase describes the potential complication where preeclampsia develops into eclampsia, characterized by the onset of seizures.
- The goal of treatment is to manage the mother's condition and prevent it from progressing to eclampsia.
- Eclampsia (noun): The severe, convulsive stage that can follow preeclampsia.
- Preeclamptic (adjective): Describing a state or patient affected by preeclampsia.
- A preeclamptic patient requires close observation.
- HELLP syndrome (noun): A severe variant of preeclampsia involving Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count.
- Toxemia (of pregnancy) - An older, less specific term that is sometimes used interchangeably with preeclampsia, though "preeclampsia" is the preferred modern clinical term.
The term is exclusively used in the context of human pregnancy and obstetrics. Its core meaning is defined by the specific triad of symptoms: new-onset hypertension, proteinuria, and often edema. It is distinct from chronic hypertension, which exists before pregnancy.
- abnormal state of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and fluid retention and albuminuria; can lead to eclampsia if untreated