Cyclic vomiting syndrome

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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

The doctor will ask you about your or your child's medical history and will conduct a physical exam.

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. But, doctors must rule out other conditions that can produce vomiting, such as:

  • Metabolic disorders
  • Intestinal blockage
  • Brain tumors
  • Pregnancy
  • Eating disorders
References
  1. Dulude E, et al. Cyclic vomiting syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 26, 2010.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Pareek NP. Cyclic vomiting syndrome: What a gastroenterologist needs to know. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;102:2832.
DS00835 Nov. 24, 2010

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