Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome

A GPwill take their patient's family and medical history, and a full account of their symptoms.

A child may be suspected to haveCVSif the following apply:

• they havehad at least five vomiting episodes, or three separate episodes over six months
• the episodes of nausea and vomiting last fromone hour to 10 days
• the episodes are similar each time
• they vomit at least four times an hour for at least one hour
• the vomiting is not caused by another disorder
• they are well between episodes

Similarly, an adult may haveCVSif they have hadthree or more vomiting episodes in the past year that have each been similar, with no nausea or vomiting between episodes.

Thehigh frequency of vomiting, and the fact that it often starts at night or early morning, are clues that the cause may beCVSand not another condition.

Blood or urine tests may be carried out (to rule out infection or kidney problems), and scans such as an endoscopy or abdominal ultrasound, to see if there is an abnormality in the digestive tract.

Only after other conditions have been ruled out will a diagnosis ofCVSbe made. At this stage, the patient may have been referred to a gastroenterologist (specialist in digestive system disorders).