Don’t fight Cyclic vomiting syndrome alone.
Find your community on the free RareGuru App.Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a condition characterized by recurrent, prolonged episodes of severe nausea and vomiting. Episodes of vomiting may last hours or days. Other signs and symptoms during episodes may include intense sweating, paleness, weakness and fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, dizziness, and headache. Most people with CVS are symptom-free in between episodes, but some people have milder symptoms. The condition can begin at any age, but it most often begins in childhood. A subset of people with CVS also have neurologic or neuromuscular disorders; the condition in these cases is referred to as "CVS plus."
The underlying cause of CVS is unknown. Data suggest there is a strong genetic component for CVS in children, involving changes (mutations) in mitochondrial DNA. Researchers believe that the condition primarily affects the brain, causing abnormalities in how the brain and gut interact. Many people with CVS report "triggers" for episodes, such as excitement, stress, infections, eating certain foods, and menstruation. People with a family history of migraines may be more likely to develop CVS.
Treatment strategies for controlling symptoms may include avoiding triggers, medications to prevent or relieve nausea, tricyclic antidepressants, anti- migraine medications, and supplements called coenzyme Q-10 and L-carnitine. While some people with CVS outgrow the condition within a few years, others continue to have episodes through adulthood. Children who outgrow CVS may go on to develop migraines.
Source: GARD Last updated on 05-01-20
The long-term outlook for people with cyclic vomiting syndrome varies from person to person. Many children with CVS "outgrow" the condition by late childhood or early adolescence, but some continue to have symptoms through adulthood. It has been reported that many children with CVS go on to develop migraine headaches by late childhood. Some of these children experience a phase of abdominal migraines in between.
In adults with CVS, the course of the condition and how long it lasts have not been well-studied. There is substantial morbidity associated with CVS in adults, possibly due to lack of awareness and long delays in diagnosis.
Although people with CVS are symptom-free about 90% of the time, the condition can be quite disabling. Children with CVS may miss many days of school and may need home tutoring or home schooling. Because of increased likelihood of episodes during times of stress or excitement, CVS may interfere with birthdays, holidays, and vacations.
Last updated on 05-01-20
Treatment of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) aims to prevent episodes (prophylactic therapy), stop episodes (abortive therapy), and provide supportive care while symptoms are present (supportive therapy). There is no specific treatment that has been proven effective in controlled trials, but several therapies based on observation and experience (empiric therapies) have been effective in case series. Treatment options for each person may depend on the person's age, whether there is a family history of migraines, the severity of episodes, and how often episodes occur. People with CVS should consult with their doctor about a personalized treatment plan.
Prophylactic therapy options include:
Abortive therapy options include various anti-migraine and anti-nausea medications such as ondansetron, promethazine, prochlorperazine, and a group of drugs used for migraines called triptans (e.g. sumatriptan).
Supportive therapy is needed when both prophylactic and abortive therapies are unsuccessful. Supportive care is an extremely important aspect of treatment while a person is having symptoms. This may involve:
Last updated on 05-01-20
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders has an overview of Cyclic vomiting syndrome as well as more information for patients and their families.
Last updated on 04-27-20
The Mayo Foundation for Education and Research provides information about cyclic vomiting syndrome. Click on the above link to access information about this condition.
Last updated on 04-27-20
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