What Causes Hyperemesis Gravidarum?

Hyperemesis gravidarum (throwing up multiple times) is a rare disorder during pregnancy.

Nauseaduringpregnancyis normal and common. But if you’re throwing up multiple times a day,vomitingassociated with ketosis andweight loss, and feel very sick, you might have a rare disorder called hyperemesis gravidarum. Only 0.5% to 2% ofpregnantwomen get it.

This article explains what the illness is, causes, what the signs are, and how it’s treated. It also offers advice on how to make sure you get the calories andnutritionyou need while you’re pregnant.

Doctors don’t know why you get it. One theory is that it happens when pregnancy hormones, vitamin B, or thyroid hormones get off balance. Another guess is that infection, reflux, or even psychological issues can cause it. But experts aren’t sure if the condition causes these problems or vice versa.

Though doctors don’t know the cause, there are a few things that increase the chance you’ll deal with this disorder during pregnancy. You're more likely to get it if:

• You’ve had it during a previous pregnancy
• You’reoverweight
• You’re pregnant with more than one baby
• You’re pregnant for the first time
• You have trophoblastic disease (abnormal cells growing in your uterus)
• It runs in your family
• You getmigrainesa lot

This illness makes you throw up more than regularmorning sickness. When you have it you typically:

• Vomit three times a day or more
• Lose 10 pounds or more from throwing up
• Throw up so much that you feel dizzy or lightheaded
• Get dehydrated from throwing up

You may also have:

• Extra saliva in your mouth
• Trouble sleeping
• More intense sense of smell
• Unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Trouble telling flavors apart
• Mood changessuch asdepressionoranxiety
• Irritability
• A hard time concentrating
• A racing heartbeat

This condition can come on suddenly within a couple of weeks or slowly over a few months. Most commonly, you get it before your 20th week of pregnancy.

In some cases, hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to more serious problems later. These include:

• Fluid andelectrolyteproblems
• Poornutrition
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Liverdamage
• Vitamin B deficiency
• Growth problems for your baby

To find out if you have it, your doctor will ask you for your medical history. She’ll want to know about:

• Recent surgeries or illnesses
• Family medical history
• Allergies
• Medications you’re taking
• Habits anddiet
• Other symptoms

There isn’t a cure for hyperemesis gravidarum. But you can treat your symptoms. Your treatment will depend on how bad your symptoms are.

The goal of treatment is to:

• Reducenauseaandvomiting
• Get more fluids andelectrolytesinto your body
• Improve your nutrition andweight gain

Your doctor may tell you to try:

• Pressure-point wristbands formotion sickness
• Vitamin B6
• Ginger
• Smaller, more frequent meals

In serious cases, you might need to stay in the hospital and get an IV. You may need:

• Total parenteral nutrition, or TPN, a special solution of certain nutrients. You take it throughout your whole pregnancy.
• Anti-nauseamedication. These are also available as suppositories you take at home.

Your doctor may also suggest you talk to amental healthprofessional to deal with the mental and emotional part of the disorder. Therapy or medicine may help you.

你的医生会密切关注你的体重and what’s in your urine to see how your treatment is working.

You need to get enough calories and the right nutrition when you’re pregnant. To be sure you’re feeding yourself well, try to:

• Eat when you’re hungry, no matter what time it is
• Stick to bland foods
• Wait until you’re not nauseous to takesupplements
• Avoid fatty foods
• Choose high-protein snacks
• Nibble on crackers when you wake up
• Drink more carbonatedbeverages
• Try herbal teas with peppermint or ginger to ease queasiness while you eat