Morning Sickness Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Morning Sickness ?

Morning sickness is a condition that commonly occurs in pregnant women. It is characterized by nausea that develops in pregnancy at any time, and not specifically in the morning! Around 60% of pregnant women experience the condition. It particularly occurs in the first three months of pregnancy, though, for some, the condition lingers all through their pregnancy.

In addition to this, treatment of morning sickness is not mandatory, as few home remedies can help ease nausea. Seldom, the condition is so intense, that it needs immediate hospitalization. The condition is known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

What Are The Symptoms Of Morning Sickness ?

Morning sickness is marked by nausea that may or may not accompany with vomiting. As mentioned earlier, the condition is common in the first three months of pregnancy. Do not delay to call for an appointment in case of extreme nausea or excessive vomiting.

What Causes Morning Sickness ?

What actually causes the condition is yet to be known, though, hormonal changes of conception may contribute. At times, continuous or intense nausea can be sourced by some health condition, and not due to pregnancy, for example liver or thyroid disease.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Morning Sickness ?

The condition can affect any pregnant women, though; it is expected to occur in case:

• You had morning sickness in your last pregnancy.
• You have conceived twins.
• Specific smells, migraines or motion sickness used to make you nauseous before getting pregnant.

Can Morning Sickness Lead To Any Complication ?

Fortunately no, the condition does not harm the health of the expected mother or her baby. Though, in case the expected mother was underweight prior conceiving the baby, and morning sickness is actually averting her to eat a balance diet, then this may cause her baby to born underweight. At times, frequent vomiting tends to result into tears in the esophagus.

How Is Morning Sickness Diagnosis ?

Normally, its diagnosis relies upon the symptoms of the patient. Though, in case of being suspected with hyperemesis gravidarum, the doctor can suggest some blood and urine tests. In addition to this, an ultrasound can also be carried out in order to identify any causal condition leading to nausea, whilst to find out the number of conceived fetuses.

How Is Morning Sickness Treatment ?

For many instances of the condition, treatment is rarely needed. Though, if the signs of morning sickness tend to continue, the doctor would possibly prescribe:

• Antihistamines.
• Supplements of vitamin B-6.
• Anti-nausea drugs.

In case the patient is suffering from intense morning sickness, then the health care provider would consider medication for treating it. For example, doxylamine in combination with pyridoxine is approved for treating morning sickness. The medicine can source drowsiness, thus, one must avert activities which need mental alertness while taking it, for example driving. In case of hyperemesis gravidarum, the patient need emergency trip to the hospital, wherein anti-nausea drugs and intravenous fluids are given for treating the condition.

By : Natural Health News