Gastrointestinal Diseases in Pregnancy: Nausea, Vomiting, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Constipation, and Diarrhea.
Many disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are common in pregnancy. Elevated levels of progesterone may lead to alterations in gastrointestinal motility which could contribute to nausea, vomiting, and/or GERD. Pregnancy-induced diarrhea may be due to elevated levels prostaglandins. This article reviews the normal physiologic and structural changes associated with pregnancy that could contribute to many of the common gastrointestinal complaints in pregnant patients. Additionally, the appropriate clinical and laboratory evaluations, other pathologic conditions that should be included in the differential, as well as the nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies for each of these conditions is discussed.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road, Suite 1264, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Cameron
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Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road, Suite 1264, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Electronic address: Jennifer.Christie@emory.edu.
Jennifer A
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Christie
D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004035:Diet Therapy; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006939:Hyperemesis Gravidarum / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009325:Nausea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014839:Vomiting / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
D000863:Antacids; D000932:Antiemetics; D004643:Emollients; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054368:Laxatives; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
Constipation; Diarrhea; Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); Hyperemesis gravidarum; Pregnancy; Review; Treatment; Vomiting