{"id":10737,"date":"2019-09-08T07:04:38","date_gmt":"2019-09-08T07:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=10737"},"modified":"2021-06-30T12:31:16","modified_gmt":"2021-06-30T12:31:16","slug":"15-common-causes-of-hyperemesis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-common-causes-of-hyperemesis\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Common Causes of Hyperemesis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It’s common for women to feel the effects of morning sickness during pregnancy. In most cases, morning sickness causes mild cases of nausea and occasional vomiting. The symptoms of morning sickness fade after 12-weeks, and rarely last into the second trimester. Some pregnant women may experience the onset of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). HG is a more severe form of morning sickness that results in extreme sensations of nausea and chronic vomiting symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women with HG find they experience severe vomiting symptoms that don’t allow them to keep any fluids or food down. As a result, they may experience dehydration, which can cause numerous complications with the pregnancy. The symptoms of the condition begin within the first six weeks of pregnancy and can last for the entire first trimester into the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women with HG may experience a loss of their appetite, and they may not be able to perform their usual daily chores or activities. Here are eight causes of hyperemesis gravidarum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Uncertain Causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical science does not fully understand the root cause of HG. Doctors are at a loss to explain why women develop symptoms of nausea<\/a> and vomiting due to pregnancy. Many researchers still are no closer to understanding the mechanics of how the disorder works in the body. However, many theories suggest there are plenty of contributing factors to the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some experts believe that the onset of HG occurs due to a combination of factors that lead to a systemic reaction producing the condition. However, there is no clinical evidence to suggest that this is the case. If you develop symptoms of HG, then your doctor will base the treatment around your symptoms, instead of looking for the cause of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors use a wide variety of therapies and treatments for women with HG. HRT, hormone replacement therapy, is a common option, as well as treating symptoms of nausea with medication designed to relieve the pain and cramping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. hCG Imbalance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When women fall pregnant, the body starts to produce Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). The hormone comes from cells in the placenta, which nourish the egg after fertilization. The hormone also assists the egg to attach to the wall of the uterus<\/a>. In general, hCG levels increase around 11-days after conception, and doctors test for the presence of the hormone 12 to 14-days after conception using a urine test.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most home pregnancy test kits search for the presence of hCG, and it’s this hormone that causes the change in color or the development of lines in the test. Pregnant women experience the doubling of their hCG levels every 72-hours after conception, reaching a peak in the first at 11-weeks of the pregnancy. After this date, levels of hCG steadily decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to note that hCG levels are not indicators of a healthy pregnancy. Some individuals may experience low hCG levels and still have a perfectly healthy baby. However, increases in hCG levels are associated with the onset of morning sickness. Some medical professionals believe that women who experience excessively high hCG numbers may be at risk of developing HG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.  Genetics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical experts believe that one of the leading causes of HG\u00a0is genetics<\/a>. If you have a family history of HG, then the chances are that you are in the high-risk group for the development of the condition. If your mother or grandmother experienced extreme morning sickness, then they may pass on the same gene to you, and you’ll experience the onset of HG\u00a0during pregnancy as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, the person may have a genetic response to rising levels of hCG in the body. The patient may also experience abnormal hCG production, which leads to the onset of HG. Unfortunately, there’s no way to cure genetic predisposition to a disease, and the patient will have to learn to deal with the condition. Treatment of symptoms as they arise will help the patient manage the symptoms of nausea and vomiting associated with the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they are having a hard time dealing with nausea and vomiting, the patient should speak to the doctor about medications that can help them cope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Pregnancy with Twins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women who fall pregnant with twins may also be at a higher risk of developing the symptoms of HG. Women who have twins, experience higher concentrations of hCG in their bloodstream due to the development of two fetuses. As a result of the elevated hCG levels, the pregnant individual may start to notice the onset of HG early in the pregnancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, the symptoms of HG in women pregnant with twins, are far more severe, and the symptoms may last for longer. The symptoms may extend past the 12-week mark in the pregnancy, and last well into the second trimester. However, somewhere around the 20-week mark, women experiencing the symptoms of HG should notice a marked decline in nausea and vomiting associated with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until this stage, these pregnant individuals will have to manage their symptoms through the use of prescription anti-nausea medication. Before you take any over-the-counter drugs, you must consult with your physician beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.  Being Overweight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women who are overweight and fall pregnant, are also at a higher risk of developing symptoms of HG. When white adipose tissue collects around the abdomen, it’s challenging for women to get rid of fat in this area. As a result, the fat may start to change in its characteristics, and begin to produce hormones that change the pregnant individual’s hormone profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes in hormones may result in the onset of nausea and vomiting <\/a>symptoms associated with HG. However, restricting calories when pregnant is both very challenging for the pregnant individual, as well as the developing fetus. Pregnant women often start to eat more because they are feeding two individuals at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore doctors do not recommend that pregnant woman start a calorie deficit to lose weight, in an attempt to stop the symptoms of HG. They can attempt a weight loss diet while pregnant, only if the person’s weight affects the health of the baby, or themselves. The individual will require special monitoring daily to ensure that the baby and themselves are both healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. First-time Pregnancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of HG are more common in women falling pregnant for the first time. Women that experience HG in their first pregnancy are less likely to experience the symptoms during further pregnancies.\u00a0In this case, the affected individual may experience wild swings in hormone <\/a>levels during the first pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some experts believe that this may have something to do with women being on birth control pills for extended periods. Women that come off the pill after many years or decades, and then suddenly fall pregnant, may experience wild swings in their hormone levels, as well as higher hCG production. This combination of factors comes together in a perfect storm, that results in the onset of HG in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First-time mothers should always follow the doctor’s advice concerning any medications they used to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting. It’s always best to try and use home remedies to provide relief from your symptoms of nausea and vomiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Trophoblastic Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trophoblastic disease, (TD), may also cause symptoms of HG. This disease occurs when abnormal growths start to develop inside the uterus of the pregnant individual. Gestational trophoblastic disease, (GTD), describes a group of rare diseases that begin to form the onset of abnormal cells that grow in the uterus. Hydatidiform mole, (HM), represents the most common form of GTD in pregnant women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The growths associated with the onset of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, (GTN),\u00a0are almost always malignant<\/a>, and patients do not have to worry about them causing complications with the pregnancy. Women with the highest risk of developing GTN or GTD, are those that experience the previous molar pregnancy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other symptoms of GTD may include swelling of the uterus and abnormal vaginal bleeding throughout the pregnancy. The bleeding symptoms may cause alarm in the affected individual, and they should seek medical advice immediately. Although, it is rare for the condition to cause any further complications with the pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.  Long-Term Outlook<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the symptoms of HG may last until the end of the third trimester. This situation means that the pregnant individual will have to deal with the symptoms of nausea and vomiting for the entire duration of the pregnancy. However, they may notice a reduction and signs at the beginning of each trimester, as the body starts to produce less hCG. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all cases of the condition, the individual will experience the lifting of their nausea and vomiting symptoms after giving birth. There are no recorded cases of HG causing any form of permanent damage or lasting symptoms after birth. It’s also important to note the postpartum <\/a>recovery may take longer in women who are suffering from the effects of HG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find you start to develop severe symptoms of nausea and vomiting, speak to your doctor. They will advise you on strategies to minimize the effects of HG throughout your pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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