Understanding #hyperemesis_gravidarum
▻http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/understanding-hyperemesis-gravidarum/news-story/5add1a2c90d0d8794717133dcac26103
(avec un peu de grec et de latin, ça se comprend tout seul…)
WHAT IS IT?
A severe form of nausea and vomiting affecting pregnant women that can put the mum and baby at risk because the woman can’t retain and utilise food and fluids.
SYMPTOMS
Constant nausea and severe vomiting that can lead to dehydration and cause an imbalance in electrolytes. Women can lose more than five per cent of their body weight as well as suffer headaches, fatigue, confusion, fainting and jaundice.
HOW COMMON IS IT?
It’s estimated to affect about one per cent of pregnant women.
WHEN DOES IT START?
Usually between the first four to six weeks and symptoms don’t usually improve until between 15 and 20 weeks but can last the entire pregnancy.
TREATMENT
Women with milder forms are advised to change diet, rest and take antacids. With more severe forms women are hospitalised so they can have their food and liquids closely monitored and usually require an intravenous drip.
CAUSES
Experts still don’t fully understand the causes but experts describe it as a complex physiological disease with multiple causes. They say aggressive care early in pregnancy is vital to prevent life-threatening complications such as central pontine myolinolysis or Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
