Treatments for Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Treating hyperemesis as anything but a physiological disease would be of great detriment to the mother and unborn baby, and if this disease is left untreated, the woman may go as far as terminating a wanted pregnancy for the sole purpose of putting an end to her misery.

Depression and anxiety are secondary psychological challenges which result and complicate the management of hyperemesis. Depression occurs as a natural outcome of being confined to home or bed, and being unable to carry out straightforward everyday activities never mind taking care of the family.

Furthermore, the accompanying anxiety often results from the worry of retching and vomiting for hours on end along with the severe feeling of nausea in between.

Many women who fear dying feel guilty that they may be the cause of the death of their unborn child if they do not force themselves to eat, even though they know they will inevitably vomit after consuming food.

The complex physiological changes which cause such severe symptoms can be very challenging to treat and as each woman is likely to respond in a different way to the next due to the multifactorial causes of the illness, no single medication can be prescribed. Finding the appropriate treatment for the individual can present a real challenge although it is known to decrease the severity and duration and prevent many further complications arising.

Bed rest and IV hydration have been found to be two of the most effective treatments by the HER Foundation Survey for HG. However, this does not mean that these two treatments alone are a complete remedy, just that they are universally beneficial to women with HG.

Fluids given in IV form which contain necessary vitamins can be administered at home in certain countries at a minimal cost and presenting little risk . IV home care is often included in insurance policies which provide the mother with continuous fluids instead of the cycle of hydration to vomiting to dehydration. This cycle can often make HG worse and create a delay in the recovery process. Home IV fluids can prevent the feeling many women experience of making a journey to the emergency room for IV fluids only to start vomiting and have to return a few days later for a top up of fluids. Providing there is no infection a regular IV can be left in for up to a week at a time. Many doctors are unaware of the idea of stopping the dehydration cycle to avoid exacerbation of HG. A mother who exhibits signs of dehydration or production of ketones should receive IV fluids, preferably with IV vitamins.

Few drugs are considered completely safe during pregnancy, however the risks involved in taking these medications must be balanced against the potential complications known to arise because of prolonged starvation and dehydration. Both present risks for the mother and child but focusing on treating the individual symptoms and lessening the incredible misery of HG has to be a top priority.

It should be remembered that individuals respond to medication in various ways. There is no single remedy or "cure" for the nausea and vomiting which is guaranteed to work for all women. Treatment should be focused on the main triggers of vomiting/nausea such as motion sensitivity. Medications that directly target the vomiting center in the brain (serotonin antagonists) are likely to be most effective when there are a number of triggers. If a woman is constantly vomiting, medications taken orally are unlikely to work for obvious reasons. It is important to try IV administration of a particular medication as well as the oral version as it will sometimes work in one or other of these ways. You should consult your physician before taking treatments if you are a smoker, have any history of medication reactions, or have pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.

Treatment for Hyperemesis gravidarum is not cheap. It is estimated that two hundred million dollars is spent every year to treat Hyperemesis gravidarum. Because there is little information regarding this disease, it often is not treated properly and is diagnosed as hormonal changes. This leaves the woman who suffers from weak, tired and helpless.

The loss of financial income is also a great risk because women often lose their employment due to excessive absences. It is critically important that Hyperemesis gravidarum be treated in its early stages to prevent all of the unnecessary hardships that it can cause.

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