The key difference between hyperemesis gravidarum and vomiting in pregnancy lies in the frequency of the episodes. Vomiting in pregnancy refers to occasional episodes of vomiting during this period, while hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition where one experiences frequent vomiting throughout the day during pregnancy.
Vomiting serves as the body’s mechanism to eliminate harmful substances from the stomach. It can occur in response to irritants affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Various medical conditions can lead to vomiting, such as gastroenteritis, hyperemesis gravidarum, and vomiting during pregnancy, among others.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum
3. What is Vomiting in Pregnancy
4. Similarities – Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Vomiting in Pregnancy
5. Hyperemesis Gravidarum vs. Vomiting in Pregnancy in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Vomiting in Pregnancy
7. Summary – Hyperemesis Gravidarum vs. Vomiting in Pregnancy
What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition where women experience extreme, persistent nausea, and vomiting occur during pregnancy. The common symptoms of this condition may include severe nausea, vomiting more than three times per day, losing more than 5% of the pre-pregnancy weight, not being able to keep food or liquids, dehydration, feeling dizzy, urinating less than normal, extreme tiredness, fainting, and headaches. This condition is believed to be caused by rising hormone levels such as HCG in large amounts in pregnancy. Moreover, the complications resulting from hyperemesis gravidarum are malnutrition, preterm birth, low birth weight, and excessive bleeding from the throat.
Figure 01: Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for hyperemesis gravidarum are lifestyle changes (wearing a pressure pint wristband or eating ginger), dietary changes (small, frequent meals), anti-nausea medications (pyridoxine and doxylamine), avoiding triggers, prescription medications (promethazine, metoclopramide, and ondansetron), and intravenous fluids.
What is Vomiting in Pregnancy?
Vomiting in pregnancy is a condition characterized by occasional episodes of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Typically, this common condition affects around 70% of pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy. Symptoms of this condition may include heartburn or reflux, feelings of seasickness or motion sickness, a sensation of something lodged in the throat, and occasional hunger pangs. Vomiting in pregnancy is caused by a mixture of physical and chemical changes in the body, such as low blood sugar, an increase in pregnancy hormones called HCG and estrogen, blood pressure fluctuations, and changes in metabolism. The complications of vomiting in pregnancy are dehydration, decreased urination, liver damage, B vitamin deficiency, poor growth and weight-developing children, and hyperemesis gravidarum.
Vomiting in pregnancy can be diagnosed through medical history and physical examination. Furthermore, treatment options for vomiting in pregnancy are giving intravenous fluid, aromatherapy, acupuncture, acupressure, sipping on water or ginger ale, avoiding triggers, such as certain foods and smells, taking prenatal vitamins, and using anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medications.
What are the Similarities Between Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Vomiting in Pregnancy?
- Hyperemesis gravidarum and vomiting in pregnancy are two conditions that cause vomiting during the pregnancy period.
- Hyperemesis gravidarum is a complication of vomiting in pregnancy.
- Changes in HCG levels can cause both conditions.
- These conditions can be diagnosed through medical history and physical examination.
- They can be treated through lifestyle changes and specific medications.
What is the Difference Between Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Vomiting in Pregnancy?
Vomiting in pregnancy refers to occasional episodes of vomiting during this period, while hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition where one experiences frequent vomiting throughout the day during pregnancy. Thus, this is the key difference between hyperemesis gravidarum and vomiting in pregnancy. Furthermore, hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe condition, while vomiting in pregnancy is a mild condition.
The infographic below presents the differences between hyperemesis gravidarum and vomiting in pregnancy in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Vomiting in Pregnancy
What is the cause of vomiting during pregnancy?
Vomiting during pregnancy may be due to hormone changes or lower blood sugar during the early pregnancy. However, the exact cause is not known.
What can help to stop vomiting during pregnancy?
There are several precautions you can take to stop vomiting. Some of them are selecting foods that are high in proteins, low in fats, and easy to digest, drinking plenty of water, taking snacks often, avoiding foods or smells that trigger nausea, rinsing the mouth after vomiting, etc.
How many times a day do you vomit with hyperemesis gravidarum?
Vomiting can happen more than 3 to 4 times a day.
Summary – Hyperemesis Gravidarum vs. Vomiting in Pregnancy
Hyperemesis gravidarum and vomiting in pregnancy are two associated medical conditions. Both these medical conditions cause vomiting during the pregnancy period. Hyperemesis gravidarum is also a complication of vomiting in pregnancy. However, hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition where women get extreme, persistent vomiting and nausea occur during the pregnancy, while vomiting in pregnancy is a condition where women get vomiting and nausea occasionally during pregnancy. So, this summarizes the difference between hyperemesis gravidarum and vomiting in pregnancy.
Reference:
1. “Hyperemesis Gravidarum.” American Pregnancy Association.
2. “Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: Treatment and outcome.” UpToDate.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Morning sickness” By IAN RAMSDEN, ROBIN CALLANDER – This file was derived from Morning sickness.jpg (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Doctor Touching the Arm of a Patient” (CC0) via Pexels