Details of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

This syndrome is characterized by episodes of severe vomiting that have no apparent cause. Episodes can stretch for up to four hours or days and alternate with symptom- free periods. Episodes are similar, which means that they tend to start at the same time of day, last the same length of time, and occur with the same symptoms and intensity.

May include:

• Three or more recurrent instances ofthrowing up starting at about the same time and lasting up to a similar length of time.
• Varying breaks of generally normal health with nausea between episodes
• Profuse sweating and nausea before episode starts
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light
• Headache
• Severe dehydration

May include:

• Colds, allergies or sinus problems
• Emotional stress or great excitement, specially in young children
• Anxiety or panic attacks, specifically in grown-ups
• Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate or cheese
• Hot weather
• Exercising too mush
• Menstruation.

Treatment often involves lifestyle changes to help prevent the causes that trigger vomiting episodes.

Medications, including anti-nausea and migraine therapies, may help as well.

Lifestyle changes include:

• Getting proper sleep
• In the case of children, not letting them get too excited by downplaying the importance of events that are coming up
• Avoiding trigger foods
• Eating small meals and low-fat snacks daily at regular times.

May include:

• Dehydration
• Injury to the food tube
• Tooth decay