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Hyperemesis
gravidarum is extremely severe nausea and excessive vomiting during
pregnancy.
Hyperemesis gravidarum differs from ordinary morning sickness. If women vomit often and have nausea to such an extent that they lose weight and become dehydrated, they have hyperemesis gravidarum. If women vomit occasionally but gain weight and are not dehydrated, they do not have hyperemesis gravidarum. The cause of hyperemesis gravidarum is unknown.
Diagnosis
and Treatment
Doctors do blood and urine tests to determine whether dehydration is present and to check for electrolyte abnormalities, which may result from dehydration.
If hyperemesis gravidarum is confirmed, women are sometimes hospitalized for treatment because vomiting may persist for days. They are given fluids, sugar (glucose), electrolytes, and occasionally vitamins through an intravenous line inserted into a vein. They are not allowed to eat or drink anything for at least 24 hours. Sedatives, drugs used to relieve nausea (antiemetics), and other drugs are given as needed. After women are rehydrated and vomiting has subsided, they are given fluids to drink. If they can tolerate fluids, they can begin eating frequent, small portions of bland foods. The size of the portions is increased as they can tolerate more food.
If symptoms recur, the treatment is repeated. Rarely, if weight loss continues and symptoms persist despite treatment, women are fed via a tube passed through the nose and down the throat to the small intestine for as long as necessary.
Last full review/revision December 2008 by Edmund F. Funai, MD
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