Morning Sickness: Why Does It Appear And How To Avoid It?
To avoid morning sickness, it is very important to pay attention to your diet and avoid irritating foods, such as spicy or caffeine. Why does this symptom occur? In this space we detail it.
Morning sickness, as its name suggests, consists of that feeling of wanting to vomit that appears during the first hours of the day. The truth is that they are one of the most frequent symptoms in early pregnancy.
So much so that it is estimated that between 50 and 70% of pregnant women suffer from them. However, pregnancy is not the only cause of this annoying symptom. Many illnesses or bad habits are also related to them.
Morning sickness can be very difficult to manage. Therefore, in this article we explain why they appear and certain measures to avoid them or be able to cope with them in the best possible way.
What Causes Morning Sickness?
As we have already mentioned, the main cause of morning sickness is pregnancy. They tend to be protagonists during the first trimester, and the vast majority of cases disappear completely in the second trimester of pregnancy.
In this case, it is believed that the cause of such nausea is a hormone that is produced in the placenta. It is the so-called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which allows pregnancy to develop.
However, other factors, such as stress, fatigue or low blood sugar levels, have been seen to play a significant role. In pregnancy, morning sickness is often accompanied by vomiting.
The truth is that this symptom in pregnancy is quite unpredictable. It seems that having nausea in a previous pregnancy or having a multiple gestation is a risk factor for developing them.
In some women, nausea and vomiting may be too heavy or frequent. When this happens, a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum can occur. It consists of the fact that the pregnant woman suffers dehydration and significant weight loss, thus putting the pregnancy at risk.
Other possible causes
Keep in mind that morning sickness is a rather nonspecific symptom that can appear in many other circumstances apart from pregnancy. For example, in any gastrointestinal infection.
In fact, the eating habit that is followed at night or at dawn is decisive. Poor digestion or eating foods with caffeine or stimulants can be the triggers for this problem.
Similarly, other diseases such as diabetes or pelvic inflammatory disease have been linked to morning sickness. We must also emphasize that stress and anxiety are one of the most important risk factors.
Lastly, nausea and vomiting at any time, including the morning, can be a side effect of medical treatment. As we well know, chemotherapy treatments and many other drugs produce them.
How can morning sickness be fixed?
There are women who have a hard time coping with morning sickness. The same can happen to people who have them for something other than pregnancy. Therefore, it is very important to follow certain recommendations that can reduce or alleviate them.
First of all, you have to pay special attention to food. It is recommended to eat five smaller meals throughout the day and avoid heavy dinners. You have to reduce the consumption of spicy and fatty foods, as well as caffeine and alcohol.
Also, this symptom is influenced by smells and tastes. It is essential to avoid all those that are unpleasant or that can detonate them. It can even be an act as simple as brushing your teeth, so you have to be delicate and mentalize.
Some people find it helpful to use relaxation mechanisms and breathing techniques to avoid vomiting. Still, if the symptom becomes persistent, or if it is accompanied by vomiting, it is best to maintain optimal hydration and consult a doctor. The professional, after an evaluation, will determine if other treatments are necessary.
