Know how to spot cyclic vomiting syndrome

AGA has released a new Clinical Practice Update to help you quickly identify and effectively treat cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). CVS is a chronic disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) characterized by acute episodes of nausea, vomiting and retching separated in time by episode-free periods. Once diagnosed, there are effective treatments that can reduce CVS symptoms, keep patients out of the emergency department, and improve patients' quality of life.

Hear from authors Drs. Thangam Venkatesan and David Levinthal and as they discuss the key factors in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of CVS.

Clinical diagnostic criteria for cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults

1. Stereotypical episodes of acute onset vomiting lasting less than seven days.
2. At least three discrete episodes in a year of which two have occurred in the prior six months; episodes should be separated by at least one week of baseline health.
3. Absence of vomiting between episodes, but presence of some milder symptoms such as nausea, occasional vomiting and dyspepsia may be present.

A personal or family history of migraine headaches is considered a helpful factor in diagnosing CVS.