Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD

What is toxemia

Toxemia occurs in pregnant women and includes swelling, high blood pressure and protein in the urine (proteinuria).

What are the dangers of toxemia?

Toxemia is a leading cause of premature infants and pregnancy disability. If untreated, it can lead to seizures (eclampsia).

Who is most prone to toxemia?

Some studies have shown that women who blush, talk rapidly, have rising blod pressure, dizziness, and heart palpitations are more apt to have toxemia.

Do you have trouble coping with what other people think about you? This could be another factor in toxemia according to several studies. Held in feelings can press on blood vessels and over time result in high blood pressure.

What self-care measures may help?

* Change your eating patterns to cut down on saturated (animal) fats (including meat, cheese, butter, milk, chicken, lamb, pork),fried foods, and sugar (desserts, candy, and anything canned or frozen with extra sugar added), and eat a combined number of 10 vegetables and fruits a day. Have a big mixed green salad (forget about iceburg lettuce) every day. Add two other vegetables plus soy cheese or tofu or a piece of fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel are best)for lunch and/or dinner, and cereal (oat cereal without added sugar is good for the heart), and fruit plus soy or rice milk for breakfast and dinner. Add a handful of unsalted and non-oiled nuts and/or seeds to your cereal and salads. If you're not full after eating lunch or dinner, have some nourishing soup. Eat a snack at l0 a.m. and 3 or 4 p.m. (a piece of fresh fruit and a cup of soy or rice milk or a couple of slices of soy cheese) and stop eating anything after 7 p.m. That means an early dinner. If you're hungry, have a glass of water. You need at least 3 hours to digest dinner before going to sleep or you'll gain weight. For more information on healthy eating click on the Pregnancy link to the right and top of this article.

* Learn how your feelings affect your body. Write down what your body is doing while you're watching TV, working, riding in a car, talking to other people.
Consider taking an assertiveness class or find a cognitive-behavioral therapist to help you find a way to channel your feelings into production action.

* Every day obtain at least 10 hugs a day or receive a massage or touch treatment. Massage your feet and ask your partner to massage them for you. Studies show touch can lower blood pressure and enhance the immune response.
At least once a day, put your hand over your heart and listen for any feelings inside. Feel any sadness or anger and then let it flow away like a quiet river.

* Find an exercise program that suits you. Hire a personal trainer or take an exercise class for pregnant women to help you strengthen your heart and blood vessels, reduce stress and keep yourself at an appropriate weight.

* Learn to relax. Purchase a relaxation tape at your local bookstore or Online and listen to it at least twice a day. Arising and bedtime are two good times, but you can put it on low and listen to it all day except when driving for even more calm and serenity.

This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult with your health care provider.

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