What is Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome?

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, a.k.a. CVS, is where children and some adults have ongoing cycles of severe nausea and then vomiting that can last from hours to even days. It has no cause and each attack is very similar to previous attacks. There can be prolonged periods of no symptoms and then sufferers can experience a severe bout that seems “to come out of nowhere”.

It is mainly a children’s disease, but can manifest itself in some adults. Adult episodes tend to be occurring less often in the sufferer but will be longer lasting. Triggers for the episode aren’t as easy to recognize as it is in children. With children it will generally manifest in the ages of 3-7 year of age. In both adults and children the episodes usually happen around the same time of day, present the same symptoms with the same degree of discomfort, and will last the same amount of time.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome can seriously affect its sufferers by having them bedridden unable to work or attend school. There is no known number of sufferers of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome but some researchers believe that as many as 1 in 50 children are affected. Most sufferers are diagnosed with a different disorder as vomiting and nausea are symptoms of many other illnesses. There have been four phases that have been characterized for CVS.

The Four Phases of CVS
prodrome phase – This signals the nausea and vomiting episode. It is marked by stomach pain and can last minutes or hours. There are times that anti-nausea medication can help at this phase.
episode phase – This is the actual episode where there is nausea, vomiting, paleness, dizziness, drowsiness, not being able to eat or drink, and exhaustion.
recovery phase – This is where the nausea and vomiting cease and the appetite, the sufferer’s color comes back, and the energy starts creeping back in.
symptom-free interval – This is the period of time where there is no symptoms and there is a “quiet time” in the illness.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome is a diagnosis of elimination as there is no clear test for the disease. A doctor will look at the patient’s medical history and their symptom pattern to see if they are a candidate for this illness. It can be caused by an underlying infection or by a prolonged period of stress, menstruation, motion sickness, and even hot weather.

For More Information

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association
3585 Cedar Hill Road, NW.
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Phone: 614-837-2586
Fax: 614-837-2586
Email: waitesd@cvsaonline.org
Internet: http://www.cvsaonline.org/

National Organization for Rare Disorders Inc. (NORD)
55 Kenosia Avenue
P.O. Box 1968
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
Phone: 1-800-999-6673 or 203-744-0100
Fax: 203-798-2291
Email: orphan@rarediseases.org
Internet: http://www.rarediseases.org/