What is CVS?
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (US English) or cyclical vomiting syndrome (UK English) (CVS) is a disorder that causes recurrent episodes of nausea, vomiting, and tiredness (lethargy). Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is most commonly seen in children, although it can affect adults too. It has been recognized for over 100 years, but we still know very little about the cause of the problem and there is still no recognized treatment. There is increasing evidence that mitochondrial DNA mutations play a role in some people with CVS.
CVS is characterized by recurrent, prolonged attacks of severe vomiting, nausea, pain and lethargy, with no apparent cause. Vomiting persists at frequent intervals, 5-8 times per hour at the peak, for periods ranging from hours to days or even weeks. Between episodes sufferers will often have daily symptoms of nausea, vomiting and pain.
Someone with CVS will frequently feel very sick and will vomit violently. They will then recover from the episode, before experiencing another episode perhaps a month or even a week later. These vomiting attacks are not explained by an infection or other illness. CVS can affect a person for months, years or even decades. Symptoms can be so severe that some sufferers may need to stay in bed and be treated in hospital during an episode. It can be a frightening condition that affects everyday life. There is no cure for CVS.
CVS was first described by paediatrician Samuel Gee in 1882. It has been suggested that Charles Darwin's adult illnesses may have been due to this syndrome.
How common is cyclic vomiting syndrome?
Experts don’t know how common cyclic vomiting syndrome is in adults. However, experts believe that cyclic vomiting syndrome may be just as common in adults as in children. Doctors diagnose about 3 out of 100,000 children with cyclic vomiting syndrome every year and only 1 in every 200,000 adults.
Who is more likely to get cyclic vomiting syndrome?
You may be more likely to get cyclic vomiting syndrome if you have
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (US English) or cyclical vomiting syndrome (UK English) (CVS) is a disorder that causes recurrent episodes of nausea, vomiting, and tiredness (lethargy). Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is most commonly seen in children, although it can affect adults too. It has been recognized for over 100 years, but we still know very little about the cause of the problem and there is still no recognized treatment. There is increasing evidence that mitochondrial DNA mutations play a role in some people with CVS.
CVS is characterized by recurrent, prolonged attacks of severe vomiting, nausea, pain and lethargy, with no apparent cause. Vomiting persists at frequent intervals, 5-8 times per hour at the peak, for periods ranging from hours to days or even weeks. Between episodes sufferers will often have daily symptoms of nausea, vomiting and pain.
Someone with CVS will frequently feel very sick and will vomit violently. They will then recover from the episode, before experiencing another episode perhaps a month or even a week later. These vomiting attacks are not explained by an infection or other illness. CVS can affect a person for months, years or even decades. Symptoms can be so severe that some sufferers may need to stay in bed and be treated in hospital during an episode. It can be a frightening condition that affects everyday life. There is no cure for CVS.
CVS was first described by paediatrician Samuel Gee in 1882. It has been suggested that Charles Darwin's adult illnesses may have been due to this syndrome.
How common is cyclic vomiting syndrome?
Experts don’t know how common cyclic vomiting syndrome is in adults. However, experts believe that cyclic vomiting syndrome may be just as common in adults as in children. Doctors diagnose about 3 out of 100,000 children with cyclic vomiting syndrome every year and only 1 in every 200,000 adults.
Who is more likely to get cyclic vomiting syndrome?
You may be more likely to get cyclic vomiting syndrome if you have
- migraines or a family history of migraine
- a tendency to get motion sickness
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