An ectopic pregnancy is a condition when the fertilized egg cannot implant into the uterus. It is a very dangerous condition for a pregnant woman. This kind of pregnancy usually cannot continue to birth. It is strongly recommended to remove the embryo to prevent severe damage to the mother.
In a normal pregnancy the fertilized egg travels from the oviduct to the uterus, and then implants into the lining of uterus. An ectopic pregnancy describes the situation where the fertilized egg may not implant into the lining of uterus but somewhere else, mostly the tubes.
As mentioned, a normal egg cell will be fertilized in the oviduct and then travel from oviduct to the uterus, and implant inside the wall of uterus. However, there are several conditions that can cause the fertilized egg to implant somewhere else but not within the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy happens mostly in the oviduct. Ovary, cervix and abdominal cavity are other places where an ectopic pregnancy may occur. The most common cause is an obstruction (stenosis) of an oviduct, which can prevent the fertilized egg from entering the uterus. Such obstructions occur due to scar formation, typically after infections of the female reproductive system (adnexitis), but also after surgery and after a previous ectopic pregnancy in the oviduct. Another well-known cause is endometriosis, which can increase risks for ectopic pregnancy and other difficulties in pregnancy. The symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can be abnormal vaginal bleeding, low back pain, mild cramping on one side of the pelvis and pain in the lower pelvic area. Often this condition will lead to an inflammation of the peritoneum (peritonitis) and its typical abdominal pain, which exacerbates on mild pressure of the abdomen and on physical activity. A regular pregnancy test will also be positive in case of an extrauterine pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous for a pregnant woman. The pregnancy cannot continue to birth. The treatment of ectopic pregnancy includes surgery and medications that end the pregnancy. For the common case of the ectopic pregnancy being located in the oviduct, the tube will bloat due to fetal growth, it will cause severe pain and may rupture. This will lead to a large amount of bleeding and may even shock. Under this condition, emergency medical treatment is urgently necessary and may include blood transfusion, fluid given via a vein, oxygen given with a nasal cannula, and prompt surgery to stop the bleeding.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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