Hyperemesis gravidarum (vomiting in pregnancy)

Abdomen | Gastroenterology | Hyperemesis gravidarum (vomiting in pregnancy) (Disease)


Description

Hyperemesis gravidarum is an uncommon disorder in which extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting occur during pregnancy. This condition might lead to dehydration.

Nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms that cause discomfort in pregnancy, affecting 50-70% of all pregnancies, in varying degrees. These symptoms may be caused by hormonal changes a womans body goes through during pregnancy, although this is not definitely known.

In many cases they resolve by the end of the third month of pregnancy, although up to 20% of women have symptoms association kept throughout the entire pregnancy. Severe nausea and vomiting, known as hyperemesis gravidarum affects about 1% of pregnant women. Severe cases can be debilitating and may require hospitalization and administration of fluids for rehydration. Less severe cases may have a significant impact on womens ability to cope in everyday life

Causes and Risk factors

The condition might be caused by rapidly rising serum levels of hormones such as HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estrogen. Extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy might indicate a multiple pregnancy or hydatidiform mole (abnormal tissue growth that is not a true pregnancy).

Diagnosis and Treatment

The literature describes the existence of an antihistamine may be prescribed for this problem, his name is doxylamina vitamnia which combined with B6 is used in some countries to treat these symptoms during pregnancy. However, there are countries on whose market the drug was withdrawn because of assumptions under which the substance may be involved in the occurrence of birth defects in children; assumptions were not confirmed by subsequent studies.

Pregnant woman should consult with the obstetrician before taking any medicine. Vitamin B6 and ginger are two natural products that have been studied for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. One study shows that women who took multivitamins that contain vitamin B6 prior to pregnancy were less likely to have nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and a lower incidence of these symptoms during pregnancy.

It is important that women consult their physician before using these products because they may interfere with other drugs or may contain other plants, not recommended in pregnancy. ...