Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is when someone suffers from spells of nausea and vomiting that can last for hours or days. This disease can occur in all ages but is especially common in children.
Episodes tend to be similar to the previous one, so it will start at the same time of day and last for the same length of time, with the same symptoms and level of intensity. CVS usually first occurs in children between the ages of three and seven. A child may have to stay in bed for days when an episode occurs.
Phases of CVS:
There are four phases of CVS:
There are four phases of CVS:
- Symptom-free interval phase: This is when there are no symptoms present between episodes
- Prodrome phase: This is when symptoms show that an episode is about to begin. There will usually be nausea and there may be abdominal pain, though not necessarily. This can last a few minutes of many hours. Sometimes, if medication is taken in early in this phase, the episode may not progress. However, this phase may not even occur and a person can wake up in the morning vomiting.
- Vomiting phase: This is when the person is nauseous and vomiting. They won’t be able to eat, drink or take medication. They will also be drowsy, pale and exhausted.
- Recovery phase: Nausea and vomiting will stop. The persons appetite and energy returns.
Triggers of CVS
Common triggers in children are stress or excitement. (Anxiety tends to be a trigger in adults). Colds, sinus problems, allergies and the flu can also set off an episode. There are some reports of certain foods triggering an episode, such as eating too much cheese or chocolate, or eating just before bed. Other triggers include hot weather, exhaustion, motion sickness and menstruation. However, triggers vary from person to person.
Symptoms of CVS
If your child experiences the following symptoms for at least three months, with the first sign occurring at least six months prior, they have CVS. Here are the symptoms to look out for:
- Vomiting episodes start with severe vomiting, where the person vomits several times every hour, and lasts less than one week.
- If the person has three or more separate episodes of vomiting in one year
- If there is an absence of nausea and vomiting between each episode.
- During an episode, the person may experience stomach pains, fever, dizziness, diarrhea and sensitivity to light. The person is likely to become dehydrated. Symptoms of this include thirst, paleness, exhaustion, decreased urination and listlessness. When these symptoms occur, you should seek medical help immediately.
How CVS is diagnosed
It can be very difficult to diagnose CVS as the patient needs to be observed for a long period of time and there are not tests that can be done. Vomiting can also be a symptom of other medical problems, so these must be ruled out.
If you would like to learn about CVS and migraines click here
If you would like to read about treatment for CVS click here
If you would like to learn about complications of CVS click here
