Scientists may have discovered the exact cause of morning sickness, the nausea and vomiting that often accompanies pregnancy. And with that discovery, better treatment options may be on the horizon.
Researchers from the University of Southern California and the University of Cambridge have discovered that a hormone called GDF15 is produced in the placenta, and a mother’s susceptibility to it determines the severity of the disease.The study was published on Wednesday Nature.
meanwhile Previous research Although GDF15 has been linked to these symptoms, new research shows that women exposed to low levels of the hormone before pregnancy experience more severe symptoms.
“We know that when women are exposed to higher levels of the GDF15 hormone during pregnancy, they get sick,” said Malena Fezo, clinical assistant professor of population and public health sciences at the Center for Genetic Epidemiology at the University of Southern California. he says. The Keck School of Medicine and the paper’s lead author wrote in a paper: news release.
Will it help relieve morning sickness?
On the other hand, Treatments to help symptoms For morning sickness, this research opens the door to a potential path to solving the underlying cause.
With this study in mind, the researchers suggest that there are two possible ways to lower GDF15, or to expose women to GDF15 before pregnancy in case the hormone levels rise after pregnancy.
“This study provides strong evidence that one or both of these methods are effective in preventing or treating hyperemesis gravidarum or severe morning sickness,” Fezo said.
Professor Stephen O’Rahilly from the University of Cambridge, who participated in the study, explains that pre-exposing someone to hormones needs to be done “safely, slowly and in a way that doesn’t make them miserable”. “We hope that by doing so, we can reduce the risk of developing hyperemesis during pregnancy.”
How long does morning sickness last?
Potential treatments may help 70-80% of pregnant people Despite its name, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day.
most women nausea and vomiting have during pregnancy early pregnancy symptoms or up to the first three months of pregnancy, but a small number of women experience long-term symptoms until delivery.
hyperemesis gravidarum According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, morning sickness is extreme or severe morning sickness, which refers to persistent nausea and vomiting that occurs during pregnancy for about a year. 0.3-2% of all pregnancies.
Severe cases can cause weight loss and dehydration and may require intensive treatment. CDC.
Charlotte Howden told CBS News that experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum seven years ago while pregnant with her son was a “living hell.”
“I was vomiting up to 30 times a day and couldn’t eat anything,” she explained. “It got really serious for me when I couldn’t hold the water back.”
Kate, Duchess of Cornwall and actress amy schumer also shared their struggles with this condition.