Toxicosis of pregnant women
Toxicosis of pregnant women is a condition of a woman during pregnancy caused by poisoning with toxins that accumulate in the mother’s body during the development and growth of the fetus. With toxicosis, vascular disorders, central nervous system disorders, vomiting, nausea, etc. may occur. After childbirth, the symptoms of toxicosis disappear by itself.
Since toxicosis, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, is a fairly common phenomenon, it is one of the signs of conception. Pregnancy, which proceeds without the manifestation of toxicosis, is considered a physiological norm.
CAUSES OF TOXICOSIS
Science has not yet established the exact cause of such a phenomenon as toxicosis, and the mechanism of its action remains unknown. However, it is generally believed that toxicosis is a pathological reaction of the mother’s body to the appearance and development of the fetus. Factors that can aggravate the manifestation of early toxicosis are violations in the diet, daily routine, work activity, the presence of bad habits (alcoholism, smoking).
SYMPTOMS OF TOXICOSIS
In the early stages of pregnancy, toxicosis is accompanied by the following symptoms: excessive salivation, weight loss, vomiting, nausea, loss of taste sensations, general malaise, drowsiness, poor appetite, irritability, apathy, etc.
Not often, but toxicosis can manifest itself in the form of skin diseases – dermatitis, asthma attacks, softening of bones and sharp spasms of skeletal muscles.
Vomiting during pregnancy. This is the most common complaint with manifestations of early toxicosis, but only in the most severe manifestation it requires medical treatment. As a rule, this phenomenon passes on its own, after the twentieth week of pregnancy. In terms of severity, vomiting directly depends on the duration of its manifestation, the earlier it manifests, the longer it turns out to be.
Vomiting is divided into three degrees: mild (observed no more than five times a day), moderate (observed up to ten times a day), indomitable (observed more than twenty-five times a day). The severity of the symptom determines the general condition of the woman. If there is a slight vomiting, then the pregnant woman feels quite normal, with a slight weight loss. If vomiting of moderate severity is noted, then the general malaise of a woman is accompanied by weight loss, a decrease in pressure and an increase in pulse. With indomitable vomiting, dehydration of the body, significant loss of body weight, impaired kidney function, pressure drop, increased pulse rate, increased body temperature and dry skin can occur. Severe course of toxicosis may be the cause of artificial termination of pregnancy.
Nausea is the main symptom of vomiting, especially in the early stages. In some cases, this is an independent symptom of toxicosis.
Salivation is also a common symptom of toxicosis. In some cases, it accompanies vomiting, and is a serious threat to the life of the mother and fetus, since it provokes the loss of mineral salts and proteins. Complaints about this symptom should be treated especially carefully.
DIAGNOSIS OF TOXICOSIS
The diagnosis of toxicosis of pregnant women is based on the patient’s complaints, the clinical picture and the data of additional studies.
Examination on the chair and ultrasound allow you to determine the fixation of the fetal egg in the uterus and monitor the development of the fetus.
Pregnant patients with toxicosis undergo examinations:
general clinical blood test;
daily diuresis;
general urine analysis;
pulse monitoring;
ECG;
blood pressure control;
counting vomiting attacks;
TREATMENT OF TOXICOSIS
Treatment is carried out in a hospital or outpatient, depending on the severity of the symptoms. The main direction of treatment is to minimize medication prescriptions to preserve fetal health. For this purpose, physiotherapy, immunotherapy, massage, etc. are used.
Medications are prescribed drugs that are able to suppress vomiting and make up for the lack of fluid and salts in the body.
