In an exceptional breakthrough potentially providing solace for millions of women worldwide, scientists appear to have discovered the cause of morning sickness, a common condition affecting 70 to 80% of pregnant women. Despite its name, morning sickness can strike at any given time and can grow severe to the point of requiring hospitalization in some cases.
For several years, researchers have been focusing on a gene named GDF-15 and recently, a hormone of the same name has been garnering attention. In normal conditions, this hormone circulates in the body. However, during pregnancy, an elevated level of this hormone has been associated with heightened experiences of nausea and vomiting.
