Alternative Methods of Therapy of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnant Women

Abstract

Study Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of ginger extract in the treatment of nausea and vomiting light and moderate range of pregnant women. Study Design: Observational study. Materials and Methods. The research included 56 pregnant women with symptoms of nausea and vomiting: at the first visit they had complaints of nausea and/or vomiting being 6–16 weeks pregnant. The severity of nausea and vomiting was assessed on the Pregnancy- Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea scale before the start of therapy, on days 4 and 7 of treatment. The pregnant women were divided into two groups. The main group consisted of 28 women who took the dietary supplement Preginor, a comparison group — 28 patients who were given only recommendations for lifestyle and diet modification. Among 56 pregnant women who were studied, there 36 were with light symptoms of nausea and vomiting (18 women from the main group and 18 in the comparison group); 20 pregnant women had a moderate degree of nausea and vomiting (10 patients from the main group, 10 from the comparison group). Preginor contains a highly selective ginger root extract (67 mg) standardized to 5% gingerols, which corresponds to about 1 g of fresh ginger; vitamin B6 1.4 mg, magnesium lactate 112.5 mg. Study Results. Relief of symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women who took ginger was on average 48 hours faster compared to patients who received only recommendations for lifestyle and diet modification: after 3,3 (0,5) and 5,1 (1,2) days, respectively (t = –5,60, p = 0.000). With a moderate course of nausea and vomiting, taking ginger also helped to alleviate the condition in the majority of patients (80%). Conclusion. Preginor is an effective non-pharmacological remedy for the relief of symptoms of nausea and vomiting of pregnant women. It is advisable to recommend the dietary supplement Preginor for widespread introduction into clinical practice, raising the awareness of medical personnel and patients about its effectiveness and safety. Keywords: vomiting, nausea, hyperemesis gravidarum, ginger extract.