Other Causes of NVP to Rule Out
Nausea and vomiting can be a symptom of so many diseases besides pregnancy. If the onset is within the first weeks of pregnancy, it is likely caused by pregnancy. However, if it is severe, prolonged or the onset is later than 8 weeks, a more detailed assessment is needed.
Underlying disorders may be aggravated by pregnancy-related changes, or some disease states like gall stones can be caused by pregnancy. Treatment will be most effective when the main cause is identified. Following is a list of possible disease states that may be causing or contributing to her symptoms.
- Abruptio Placentae
Separation of the normally located placenta after the 20th week of gestation and prior to birth
- Addison Disease Or Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency presenting with nausea, vomiting, anorexia, weakness, fatigue, hypotension, dehydration
- Adnexal (Ovarian) Torsion Or Tumor
The rotation of part or all of the adnex (ovary tube) around an axis, by 360° or more
- Appendicitis, Acute
Inflammation of the appendix
- Asthma
Inflammation of the respiratory system
- Bacterial Infections
- Bowel Obstruction
Blockage of the intestines
- Cerebral Tumor
Brain tumor leading to increased pressure
- Cholangitis
Inflammation of one or more bile ducts
- Cholecystitis
Acute inflammation of the gallbladder wall, usually as a response to cystic duct obstruction by a gallstone
- Cholelithiasis
Formation or presence of calculi (gallstones) in the gallbladder
- Choriocarcinoma
An invasive, usually widely metastatic tumor that develops from fetal tissue
- CNS Lesions
Tumors in the central nervous system (brain/spine)
- Diabetes Mellitus
Abnormal regulation of sugar levels and insulin production
- Diabetic Gastroparesis
Delayed gastric emptying usually due to diabetes
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Metabolic acidosis from the accumulation of ketones
- Diaphragmatic Hernias
A hole in the diaphragm muscle that allows their abdominal organs — such as the stomach, bowels, kidney and liver — to migrate into the chest
- Drug Toxicity, Intolerance, or Side Effects
- Fatty Liver Of Pregnancy
An excessive accumulation of fat in the liver or liver cells that can cause liver damage
- Fibroid Degeneration
Degeneration of abnormal growths (benign tumors) of fibrous tissue in the uterus
- Food Intolerance
- Gall Bladder Disease/Gall Stones
- Gastric And Peptic Ulcer Disease (Including Cancer)
- Gastroenteritis
Viral infection presenting as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Return of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus (throat)
- Gestational Thyrotoxicosis
Increased thyroid hormone production during pregnancy due to increased hCG hormones
- Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Bacterial infection in the stomach and/or upper intestine
- HELLP Syndrome
Syndrome associated with eclampsia and marked by hemolysis (destruction of red bloods cells), elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count
- Hepatitis
Inflammation of liver
- Hiatal Hernia
The upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest.
- Hydatidiform Mole
Development of a mass of cysts in the fertilized egg instead of a fetus
- Hydramnios
Excessive amounts of amniotic fluid
- Hypercalcemia
Increased serum calcium levels that also may present with anorexia, constipation, abdominal pain
- Hyperparathyroidism
Overactive parathyroid gland
- Hypo/Hyperthyroidism
Over or underproduction of thyroid hormones
- Influenza
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Malrotation of the Gut
- Meningitis
Inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord
- Migraine Headaches
- Multiple Pregnancy (More Than One Fetus)
- Nephrolithiasis
Kidney Stone Failure
- Pancreatitis/Hyperamylasemia
Inflammation of the pancreas
- Peptic Ulcer Disease (Stomach Ulcers)
- Peritonitis
Infection in the abdomen
- Pituitary Tumor
Tumor in the pituitary gland
- Pneumonia
Infection in the lungs
- Porphyria
Overproduction and excretion of porphyrin, resulting in insufficient heme, the part of blood that carries oxygen
- Pre-Eclampsia
Rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure, swelling and protein in the urine
- Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH)
High blood pressure, pregnancy-induced
- Primary Bowel Diseases
Diseases of the intestines
- Pseudotumor Cerebri/Benign Intracranial Hypertension
Increased pressure within the brain
- Ptyalism
Excessive salivation
- Pyelonephritis or Pyelitis
Kidney infection, usually from bacteria that spread from the bladder
- Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension
Decreased pressure in the brain
- Trophoblastic Tumors
Tumors that arise from tissue in the placenta after abnormal fertilization
- Uremia
Abnormally high levels of nitrogen-type wastes in the bloodstream, caused by conditions that reduce blood flow to the kidney
- Urinary Tract Infection
Infection of the urinary system
- Uterine Leiomyomas Degeneration
Degeneration of benign noncancerous growths in the smooth muscle of the uterus
- Vestibular Disorders
Disorders of the nervous system, causing dizziness, vertigo, nausea and imbalance
- Volvulus
Twisting or folding of the intestines
Updated on: Sep. 15, 2022
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Beyond Morning Sickness