Unveiling the Cause of Severe Morning Sickness: A Breakthrough Discovery
Scientists have discovered a possible cause for extreme morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Geneticist Marlena Fejzo and her colleagues have identified two genes, GDF15 and IGFBP7, that are involved in the condition. The GDF15 gene produces a hormone that causes nausea and vomiting, and individuals with lower pre-pregnancy levels of this hormone are more likely to experience severe symptoms. This discovery opens up potential avenues for more effective treatments, such as building up a tolerance for GDF15 prior to pregnancy or using drugs currently being tested for cancer cachexia. It is important for pregnant individuals suffering from nausea and vomiting to seek medical attention and find healthcare providers who take their symptoms seriously.