In a fascinating new study, scientists have made a significant discovery about morning sickness - a common ailment occurring in pregnancy, affecting a huge number of pregnant individuals globally. This study, according to the reputed journal, Nature, indicates that morning sickness might be linked to a hormone present in our bodies, known as GDF-15.
In non-pregnant individuals, the stress-triggered hormone GDF-15 is produced at comparatively lower levels. However, high levels of this hormone have been identified as a potential cause of nausea, a key symptom of morning sickness. The majority of those pregnant tend to manifest some form of this condition, with some cases so severe that hospitalization becomes necessary.
The study reveals that GDF-15 could be associated with higher levels of nausea and vomiting seen in pregnancy. It also highlights an interesting aspect where individuals exposed to this hormone prior to pregnancy appear to develop a sort of tolerance to it. Consequently, this group, on experiencing higher levels of the hormone during pregnancy, does not feel as sick.
These findings about the GDF-15 hormone could open the pathway to improved methods to treat or prevent severe morning sickness. Nevertheless, more attention and research are necessary to focus on this condition, which isn't just a typical symptom everyone experiences during pregnancy but potentially a serious health risk.
The study has revealed a possible approach for treating the ailment, including the exposure of those at risk to the hormone before pregnancy, to build up their tolerance. There is also potential to treat morning sickness during pregnancy by blocking the effects of the hormone. However, this requires thorough research to ensure safety and efficacy.
A certain medicine, metformin, which is already available, appears to increase levels of the hormone. As such, there is the possibility this could potentially prevent extreme morning sickness in a subsequent pregnancy if someone has already suffered from it previously. More extensive studies are needed to determine whether this could indeed be a viable way forward. Nonetheless, it is a scientific breakthrough to unearth such information about morning sickness, elevating it from being just a terrible mystery of pregnancy.
