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Hyperemesis gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum

female only

What it is

Severe, relentless vomiting in pregnancy — far beyond morning sickness — with dehydration and weight loss; linked to the hormone GDF15.

Symptoms & signs

  • Vomiting many times a day
  • unable to keep food or fluid down
  • weight loss over 5%
  • dehydration and dizziness
  • excess saliva

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Vomiting blood
  • call 112 / 911 now Unable to keep any fluid down for 24 hours
  • see a doctor soon Dark urine or no urine for 8 hours
  • see a doctor soon Dizzy on standing or losing weight

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Urine ketones and blood tests
  • antiemetics: cyclizine, prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, ondansetron
  • intravenous fluids with thiamine
  • steroids in resistant cases

Natural & lifestyle

  • Small, frequent dry meals
  • rest, avoid smell triggers
  • sip fluids

Emerging & experimental

  • Treatments targeting GDF15
  • mirtazapine
  • gabapentin

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Ginger — trials support it for ordinary pregnancy nausea; little tested in hyperemesis itself mixed evidence
  • Vitamin B6 with doxylamine — trials support it trials support
  • Acupressure bands (P6) — trials disagree mixed evidence
  • Peppermint tea — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes