Rules of diagnosis.
A general practitioner (GP/Doctor) will gather information about the patient's family and medical history, as well as a detailed description of their symptoms.
A child may be suspected to have CVS if the following apply:
An adult may be diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) if they experience at least three vomiting episodes in a year that are similar in duration and spacing between episodes. The frequent vomiting, often starting in the night or early morning, is a key indicator of CVS over other conditions.
To rule out infections or kidney issues, blood or urine tests may be conducted. Scans like endoscopy or abdominal ultrasound could also be used to check for abnormalities in the digestive system. Only after eliminating other potential causes will a gastroenterologist confirm a diagnosis of CVS.
Pattern or cycle of symptoms in children.
A doctor will often suspect cyclic vomiting syndrome in a child when all of the following are present:
Pattern or cycle of symptoms in adults.
A doctor will often suspect cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults when all of the following are present:
A doctor is more likely to diagnose cyclic vomiting syndrome if you or a family member have a history of migraines. Even if your symptoms don't entirely match the typical patterns associated with the syndrome, your doctor may suspect this condition. It's important to have a discussion with your doctor if you or your child exhibit symptoms similar to those of cyclic vomiting syndrome.
What medical tests do doctors use to diagnose cyclic vomiting syndrome?
Doctors may need to perform a series of tests using laboratory screenings, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and various imaging techniques to exclude other medical conditions that can produce similar symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Since this diagnostic process can be time-consuming, reaching a final diagnosis of cyclic vomiting syndrome may require several years. Upon eliminating other potential sicknesses, medical professionals will determine the presence of cyclic vomiting syndrome through the observation of recurring symptomatic cycles.
Lab tests
Your doctor may use the following lab tests:
Imaging tests
A doctor may perform one of more of the following imaging tests:
A general practitioner (GP/Doctor) will gather information about the patient's family and medical history, as well as a detailed description of their symptoms.
A child may be suspected to have CVS if the following apply:
- they have had at least five vomiting episodes, or three separate episodes over six months
- the episodes of nausea and vomiting last from one hour to 10 days
- the episodes are similar each time
- they vomit at least four times an hour for at least one hour
- the vomiting is not caused by another disorder
- they are well between episodes
An adult may be diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) if they experience at least three vomiting episodes in a year that are similar in duration and spacing between episodes. The frequent vomiting, often starting in the night or early morning, is a key indicator of CVS over other conditions.
To rule out infections or kidney issues, blood or urine tests may be conducted. Scans like endoscopy or abdominal ultrasound could also be used to check for abnormalities in the digestive system. Only after eliminating other potential causes will a gastroenterologist confirm a diagnosis of CVS.
Pattern or cycle of symptoms in children.
A doctor will often suspect cyclic vomiting syndrome in a child when all of the following are present:
- at least five episodes over any time period, or a minimum of three episodes over a 6-month period
- episodes lasting 1 hour to 10 days and happening at least 1 week apart
- episodes similar to previous ones, tending to start at the same time of day, lasting the same length of time, and happening with the same symptoms and intensity
- vomiting during episodes happening at least four times an hour for at least 1 hour
- episodes are separated by weeks to months, usually with no symptoms between episodes
- after appropriate medical evaluation, symptoms cannot be attributed to another medical condition
Pattern or cycle of symptoms in adults.
A doctor will often suspect cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults when all of the following are present:
- three or more separate episodes in the past year and two episodes in the past 6 months, happening at least 1 week apart
- episodes that are usually similar to previous ones, meaning that episodes tend to start at the same time of day and last the same length of time—less than 1 week
- no nausea or vomiting between episodes, but other, milder symptoms can be present between episodes
- no metabolic, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, structural, or biochemical disorders
A doctor is more likely to diagnose cyclic vomiting syndrome if you or a family member have a history of migraines. Even if your symptoms don't entirely match the typical patterns associated with the syndrome, your doctor may suspect this condition. It's important to have a discussion with your doctor if you or your child exhibit symptoms similar to those of cyclic vomiting syndrome.
What medical tests do doctors use to diagnose cyclic vomiting syndrome?
Doctors may need to perform a series of tests using laboratory screenings, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and various imaging techniques to exclude other medical conditions that can produce similar symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Since this diagnostic process can be time-consuming, reaching a final diagnosis of cyclic vomiting syndrome may require several years. Upon eliminating other potential sicknesses, medical professionals will determine the presence of cyclic vomiting syndrome through the observation of recurring symptomatic cycles.
Lab tests
Your doctor may use the following lab tests:
- Blood tests can show signs of anaemia, dehydration, inflammation, infection, and liver problems.
- Urine tests can show signs of dehydration, infection, and kidney problems.
Imaging tests
A doctor may perform one of more of the following imaging tests:
- Ultrasound of the abdomen.
- Gastric emptying test, also called gastric emptying scintigraphy. This test involves eating a bland meal, such as eggs or an egg substitute, that contains a small amount of radioactive material. An external camera scans the abdomen to show where the radioactive material is located. A radiologist can then measure how quickly the stomach empties after the meal. Health care professionals perform gastric emptying tests only between episodes.
- Upper GI series.
- MRI scan or CT scan of the brain.
