PREGNANCY-RELATED CONDITIONS

HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

Hyperemesis gravidarum is severe morning sickness from which some women suffer usually during the first trimester of pregnancy. Hyperemesis gravidarum is believed to be caused by high levels of pregnancy hormones, although causes for this disease are not well established as of now. While about 70-80% of pregnant women suffer from some form of morning sickness, only less than approximately 3% suffer from such severe forms that qualify as hyperemesis gravidarum. While hyperemesis gravidarum can cause strong levels of discomfort, it is usually transient and does not cause any permanent risk or harm to either mother or fetus.

Risk Factors

First-time pregnancy
Higher BMI (body weight)
Previous pregnancy with hyperemesis gravidarum
Multi-gestational pregnancy (twins or triplets, etc.)

Prevention

Eat small regular meals
Light diet (no spicy, raw, greasy, or caffeinated foods)

Risk Factors

Prevention

Symptoms

Severe nausea more than 10 times per day and/or with extreme vomiting
Weight loss of 5 pounds or more
Lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting
Low blood pressure
High heart rate
Dehydration
Fatigue

Treatments

Symptoms

Treatments

Rest
IV fluids
Small meals and light diet
Medications, such as antacids, antihistamines, or vitamin B6 (although the effectiveness and working mechanisms of the latter two are controversial in the literature)
Parenteral nutrition (IV nutrients): Parenteral nutrition refer to nutrients directly administered to the blood bypassing usual gastric digestion. Parenteral nutrition can be partial or total. It is usually only required in the most severe cases of hyperemesis gravidarum.
Enteral nutrition: Enteral nutrition refers to any type of nutrition that passes through the gastric tract. This can be regular oral diet, or feeding through nasal or gastric tube. The latter are usually only required in more severe cases.