Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffMany people know what triggers their cyclic vomiting episodes. Avoiding those triggers can reduce the frequency of episodes.
If episodes occur more than once a month or require hospitalization, doctors typically recommend daily preventive medicine. Commonly used drugs to prevent cyclic vomiting episodes include amitriptyline and propranolol (Inderal).
In addition to taking preventive medications, lifestyle changes may help prevent future vomiting episodes, including:
- Getting adequate sleep
- Downplaying the importance of upcoming events, because excitement can be a trigger
- Avoiding trigger foods, such as cheese and chocolate
- Eating meals at regular times
- Participating in regular aerobic activity, but not to the point of fatigue
- Dulude E, et al. Cyclic vomiting syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 26, 2010.
- Li BU, et al. North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition consensus statement on the diagnosis and management of cyclic vomiting syndrome. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2008;47:379.
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cvs/CyclicVomitingSyndrome.pdf. Accessed Sept. 26, 2010.
- Pareek NP. Cyclic vomiting syndrome: What a gastroenterologist needs to know. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;102:2832.

Find Mayo Clinic on