You may remember the case of Agnes Lopez of Warren, Michigan who got hypertension during her last pregnancy. It was diagnosed the fourth month of her pregnancy. And it was complicated by a mild intracerebral hemorrhage.
Her doctor had some important and hard choices to make. Fortunately Dr. Ross was able to use the best treatment and things turned out alright for mom and baby.
The treatments that Dr. Ross had to choose from included medication, hospitalization and early delivery of the baby through pitosin or C-section.
Several types of treatment are still considered even though there is no proof that they work. Those include restricting activity and dietary changes. Supplemental calcium, salt restriction, supplemental magnesium, and fish oil therapy have been tried without evidence of helping. There is some evidence that low dose aspirin does help.
Medicines used for hypertension in pregnancy include Alpha-adrenergic inhibitors such as Methyldopa (Aldomet), Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers such as Labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), Pindolol (Visken), Oxprenolol (Apsolox, Trasicor, Captol), Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) and Atenolol (Tenormin), Vasodilators like Nitroprusside (Nitropress) and Hydralazine (Apresoline), Centrally acting alpha-adrenergic agonists such as Clonidine (Catapres) and Anticonvulsants like (Phenytoin (Dilantin) and Magnesium sulfate.
The Alpha-adrenergic inhibitors are probably the safest during pregnancy and are usually the first medication most doctors would use. If there is an allergy to the medicine or liver problems it is not as safe. But, there has not been any studies that show any harm to the baby.
Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers include some medications that are very safe and some not quite as safe. The safe ones can also be the first choice for treatment.
Calcium channel blockers may not be as safe. They have been labled 'C' because their safety for use in pregnancy has not been proven.
Centrally acting alpha-adrenergic agonists are usually saved for use in those that can't take the more frequently used medications. Like the calcium channel blockers, it has not been proven safe in pregnancy. (However, that does not mean they should not be used - but you should discuss it with your doctor.)
Diuretics also have a 'C' rating so their use is limited to cases where your doctor has determined that other safer drugs cannot be used and your high blood pressure is dangerous to you or your baby.
Vasodilators have to be given intravenously so are restricted to in hospital use. Therefore, you have to have pretty bad hypertension problems to have these used.
The seizure medications include the only medication in the group with an 'A' rating meaning that it is absolutely safe in pregnancy. That is magnesium sulfate. This is used in women who have severe pregnancy induced hypertension (eclampsia or preeclampsia) to prevent any dangerous seizures.
Naturally, any of these pharmaceuticals need to be used under your doctor's care and frequent doctor appointments will be required.
For more information on Hypertension, come to http://hypertension.endlessfreeplr.com now.
Showing posts with label Hypertension in Pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hypertension in Pregnancy. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hypertension in Pregnancy
Hypertension in pregnancy is the most common problem to occur during your pregnancy. In fact about 3 out of a hundred pregnant women have Pregnancy induced hypertension.
Gwendolyn Greene of Cape Coral had Hypertension in pregnancy during her 1st pregnancy. firstname found out on her third prenatal visit.
As she found out, first pregnancy, a history of preeclampsia, a new sexual partner, being a member of a black race, and time since your last pregnancy of less than 2 years or more than 10 years are risk factors for Hypertension in pregnancy.
Other things that increase the risk of Hypertension in pregnancy are chronic hypertension, renal disease, preexisting diabetes, type 1 and obesity.
Hypertension in pregnancy might not cause any symptoms. But, it can cause visual disturbances like scintillations (flashes of light) and scotomata (blind spots) - probably from spasm of cerebral arteries, headache, upper abdominal pain from swelling and inflammation of the liver and rapid weight gain. Upper abdominal pain might suddenly occur and is usually constant and fairly severe. Headaches are often in the front, throbbing and similar to migrane headaches.
The problem with Hypertension in pregnancy is that it can cause thromboembolism (blood clots), fluid on the lungs, heart problems, smaller babies, strokes and even death of the mother. In fact, from 1991 to 1999 over 15% of the deaths of women during pregnancy were caused by Hypertension in pregnancy.
There are three types of Hypertension in pregnancy: Chronic Hypertension, Preeclampsia and Transient hypertension.
Chronic Hypertension
Most of the time chronic hypertension has no other cause. However, it can be caused by kidney disease like polycystic kidneys, glomerular or interstitial disease, hormone problems such as adrenocorticosteroid or mineralocorticoid excess, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, too much parathyroid hormone or even using oral contraceptives.
Preeclampsia
Nobody knows for sure what causes preeclampsia. One thing that we know is that it is caused by a problem with the inside lining of the blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to spasm. When the arteries get smaller, the blood pressure increases. The damage also causes the blood vessels to leak causing swelling. It can cause problems with the brain, lungs and kidneys. These changes also can cause lower blood flow to the growing baby.
Transient hypertension
The elevated blood pressure called transient hypertension just happens late in pregnancy. Then after delivery, the blood pressure goes back to normal. But, it probably increases your chances of getting high blood pressure later in life.
Hypertension in pregnancy is one of the major reasons that you should keep your regular appointments with your obstetrician.
For more information on hypertension visit Hypertensive News at http://hypertension.endlessfreeplr.com/ now.
Gwendolyn Greene of Cape Coral had Hypertension in pregnancy during her 1st pregnancy. firstname found out on her third prenatal visit.
As she found out, first pregnancy, a history of preeclampsia, a new sexual partner, being a member of a black race, and time since your last pregnancy of less than 2 years or more than 10 years are risk factors for Hypertension in pregnancy.
Other things that increase the risk of Hypertension in pregnancy are chronic hypertension, renal disease, preexisting diabetes, type 1 and obesity.
Hypertension in pregnancy might not cause any symptoms. But, it can cause visual disturbances like scintillations (flashes of light) and scotomata (blind spots) - probably from spasm of cerebral arteries, headache, upper abdominal pain from swelling and inflammation of the liver and rapid weight gain. Upper abdominal pain might suddenly occur and is usually constant and fairly severe. Headaches are often in the front, throbbing and similar to migrane headaches.
The problem with Hypertension in pregnancy is that it can cause thromboembolism (blood clots), fluid on the lungs, heart problems, smaller babies, strokes and even death of the mother. In fact, from 1991 to 1999 over 15% of the deaths of women during pregnancy were caused by Hypertension in pregnancy.
There are three types of Hypertension in pregnancy: Chronic Hypertension, Preeclampsia and Transient hypertension.
Chronic Hypertension
Most of the time chronic hypertension has no other cause. However, it can be caused by kidney disease like polycystic kidneys, glomerular or interstitial disease, hormone problems such as adrenocorticosteroid or mineralocorticoid excess, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, too much parathyroid hormone or even using oral contraceptives.
Preeclampsia
Nobody knows for sure what causes preeclampsia. One thing that we know is that it is caused by a problem with the inside lining of the blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to spasm. When the arteries get smaller, the blood pressure increases. The damage also causes the blood vessels to leak causing swelling. It can cause problems with the brain, lungs and kidneys. These changes also can cause lower blood flow to the growing baby.
Transient hypertension
The elevated blood pressure called transient hypertension just happens late in pregnancy. Then after delivery, the blood pressure goes back to normal. But, it probably increases your chances of getting high blood pressure later in life.
Hypertension in pregnancy is one of the major reasons that you should keep your regular appointments with your obstetrician.
For more information on hypertension visit Hypertensive News at http://hypertension.endlessfreeplr.com/ now.
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