Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome; Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
People diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) experience repeated episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and exhaustion that happen suddenly and without any apparent cause. Episodes of CVS may last anywhere between a few hours and several days. People affected often need emergency care due to rapid onset of life-threatening dehydration. CVS episodes often start at the same time of day, last the same amount of time, and exhibit the same level of intensity.
Causes of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
CVS is a gastrointestinal disorder with no known cause but may be linked to problems with GI, endocrine, or nervous system functioning, including:
- Disorders of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord)
- Disorder of the autonomic nervous system (responsible for innervating the heart, lungs and other internal organs)
- Gastrointestinal motility (inability of food to pass normally through the digestive system)
- Hormone dysregulation (disorders of endocrine glands)
Specific Triggers May Also Provoke Episodes of CVS:
- Panic attacks and/or extreme anxiety
- Bacterial or viral infections (influenza, sinusitis, strep throat, etc)
- Overexercising, overeating, fasting, hot weather, motion sickness
- Eating foods high in additives (processed meat such as hot dogs) and foods high in MSG
Signs You May Suffer from Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
CVS can only be diagnosed by a gastroenterologist who can initiate appropriate tests and physical examinations to determine whether it is CVS or another medical condition causing severe nausea and vomiting. In addition to “cycling” regularly, CVS also presents the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach pain/cramping
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Light sensitivity similar to what people with migraine experience
Intensity of CVS symptoms vary as the disorder passes through four phases: prodrome phase (occurs just before vomiting starts; marked by nausea and intense perspiration); vomiting phase (periods of vomiting may last up to 30 minutes; person suffers stomach pain and may be unresponsive); recovery phase ( nausea subsides, vomiting ceases); well phase (appetite returns, nausea disappears, no symptoms present).
Health Consequences of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
Dehydration is the most serious consequences of untreated CVS. Occurring when the body loses more fluids than it replaces in a short period, severe dehydration can lead to organ failure if fluids are not immediately replaced by IV saline solutions. Inflammation of the esophagus called esophagitis may also emerge as regurgitated stomach acid frequently irritates the esophagus. Severe vomiting is also known to produce Mallory-Weiss tears, which are tears at the bottom of the esophagus that bleed into the GI tract and cause bloody stools.
How San Antonio Gastroenterologist Dr. Seema Dar Diagnoses and Treats CVS
Dr. Dar bases her diagnosis on several factors:
- Results of physical exam and family medical history
- Pattern of symptoms
- Blood and urine tests
- Upper GI endoscopy
- Gastric emptying test
- Imaging tests
Medication taken during the prodrome phase is meant to stop the cycling before it progresses into the vomiting phase. Dr. Dar may prescribe Ativan or Zofran for nausea, Zantac or Prevacid to reduce production of stomach acid and Imitrex (in pill form, injection or nasal spray) for migraines that may trigger CVS.
As one of San Antonio’s most respected gastroenterologist, Dr. Seema Dar urges anyone who thinks they may be suffering from cyclic vomiting syndrome to call her office today and make an appointment for a comprehensive physical examination and evaluation of symptoms.