How to Manage Morning Sickness?

What is Morning Sickness?

Morning sickness occurs during pregnancy and causes nausea and vomiting. This feeling can be unpleasant and can occur at any time of the day. It can also make you feel sick all day and significantly affect your routine.

In most cases, morning sickness clears up by 16-20 weeks of pregnancy. We cannot assure that all pregnant women will experience morning sickness. However, most women experience it.

Also, morning sickness can occur to anyone and not only to pregnant women. The early symptoms of pregnancy are characterised by morning sickness.

In rare cases, morning sickness can become severe and lead to hyperemesis gravidarum.

Causes and risk factors of morning sickness

The cause of morning sickness can occur due to hormonal changes. Other causes include pregnancy and other underlying health conditions like gallbladder disease and thyroid disorders.

It can also be caused when a person is sensitive to certain smells or consuming certain foods. If a person is affected with a urinary tract infection, it can lead to nausea and vomiting.

Morning sickness commonly affects pregnant women. However, it can occur to anyone. The risk factors include

• Migraines that lead to nausea and vomiting
• Pregnant with twins
• Affected with morning sickness during the pregnancy period
• Having family history of hyperemesis gravidarum
• People with anxiety issues
• Dehydration
• Muscle pain
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Reflux and heartburn
• Low blood sugar and hunger
• Other mental health issues.

Symptoms of Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is the feeling of throwing up as soon as you wake up in the morning. Nausea with or without vomiting is a symptom of morning sickness.  Other symptoms include feeling dizzy when you wake up in the morning and an increased heartbeat.

Morning Sickness Diagnosis

Like other diseases, morning sickness has no specific blood tests or imaging tests. It will be diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms.

If the doctor suspects you are affected with hyperemesis gravidarum, the doctor would suggest for urine test and blood test.

A doctor recommends a urine test to check whether the person is dehydrated. A complete blood test and a comprehensive metabolic panel will be recommended.

The complete blood test will help determine if a person is affected by other infections, and the comprehensive metabolic panel will measure the electrolyte level in the blood. Additionally, these tests are also used to determine dehydration, anaemia and malnourishment.

Morning Sickness Treatment and Home Remedies

Depending on the symptoms, treatment and medication will be planned by your doctor. Supplements and medications will be prescribed by the doctor to alleviate nausea and vomiting. Some of the common medications that a doctor can prescribe are

• Antihistamine- Helps with motion sickness and nausea.
• Metoclopramide- Eases the movement of food into the stomach and alleviates symptoms of vomiting and nausea.
• Antacids- Helps absorb stomach acids and prevent acid reflux.
• Phenothiazine- Calms severe nausea and vomiting.

It is advised not to self-medicate and only take these medications after consulting your doctor.

• Vitamin B6 supplements
• Prenatal vitamins

Managing morning sickness

Morning sickness is common and can be managed with a few lifestyle changes and home remedies.

• Avoid foods that can make you sick.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid doing things that can trigger morning sickness. For example, a smell that can cause morning sickness.
• Avoid spicy foods.
• Do not skip your medications.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Take adequate naps.
• Ventilate the home properly, especially the room you sleep.
• Avoid consuming fatty foods.
• Drink adequate water before and after meals.
• Consume foods that contain ginger. Research states that ginger and its supplements help reduce the symptoms of morning sickness.

Severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum)

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a form of severe morning sickness that causes persistent vomiting and nausea during pregnancy. It can also lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and weight loss.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a rare pregnancy-related condition, and if it is not treated, it can affect both the mother’s and baby’s health.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is caused due to hormonal changes. The hormone called human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) will be highest for pregnant women, which can lead to severe morning sickness.

The health condition can also run in families, and you are likely to get affected if your mother or your sibling is affected by morning sickness. Severe morning sickness can also affect women with the below-listed.

• Pregnant with twins or triplets.
• Migraine headache with vomiting or nausea.
• History of motion sickness.

If severe morning sickness is not treated, it can lead to major health problems for the baby, like premature birth, organ failure and stillbirth.

When should you see a doctor?

Consult your doctor if you have symptoms like

• Feeling dizzy when you wake up in the morning.
• Dark-coloured urine.
• Heart palpitations.
• Headaches
• Vomiting more than four times.
• Blood vomit or brown-coloured vomits.
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Unpleasant body odour
• Cannot urinate properly.

Conclusion

Morning sickness is common if a woman is pregnant. However, it can affect anyone. If you are not pregnant, then there might be a certain underlying health condition that causes morning sickness.

Additionally, notice your symptoms that trigger morning sickness. For example, you might be nauseous of certain smells and food. Avoid consuming such foods. This can help with the symptoms.

The underlying health condition that causes morning sickness is also not serious. It can be managed with a few lifestyle changes. If your symptoms are persistent, consult your doctor and do not self-medicate. 

We always recommend you to consult your doctor before taking any medication.

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