Cyclic vomiting syndrome

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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

To be diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome, a person must have experienced at least three episodes in the past year of intense nausea and unremitting vomiting or retching — lasting hours or days. These episodes must be separated by weeks or months of symptom-free intervals.

There's no specific test that will confirm the diagnosis of cyclic vomiting syndrome. Doctors must rule out other conditions that can produce vomiting, such as:

  • Inner ear problems
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Intestinal blockage
  • Brain tumors
  • Pregnancy
  • Eating disorders
References
  1. Dulude E. Cyclic vomiting syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/online/content/topic.do?topicKey=gi_dis/26569&selectedTitle=1~6&source=search_result. Accessed Oct. 8, 2008.
  2. Cyclic vomiting syndrome. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cvs/index.htm. Accessed Oct. 8, 2008.
  3. Di Lorenzo C. Approach to the child with nausea and vomiting. http://www.uptodate.com/online/content/topic.do?topicKey=pedigast/7584&selectedTitle=3~6&source=search_result. Accessed Oct. 8, 2008.
  4. Pareek NP. Cyclic vomiting syndrome: What a gastroenterologist needs to know. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;102(12):2832-2840.
  5. Hoecker JL [expert opinion]. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 14, 2008.

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Nov. 26, 2008

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