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Review
. 2018 Feb 26:11:77-84.
doi: 10.2147/CEG.S136420. eCollection 2018.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome: diagnostic approach and current management strategies

William J Hayes  1 , Deidra VanGilder  2 , Joseph Berendse  3 , Michael D Lemon  3 , John A Kappes  4
Affiliations
Review

Cyclic vomiting syndrome: diagnostic approach and current management strategies

William J Hayes et al. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disorder characterized by episodes of nausea and vomiting lasting for 1-5 days followed by asymptomatic periods. The etiology of CVS is unknown, but it shares similar characteristics to migraine headaches. CVS is generally classified as having four phases: prodromal, acute/vomiting/hyperemesis, recovery, and remission/interepisodic. Current management strategies include trigger avoidance, abortive and prophylactic medication therapies, and supportive care. The goal of therapy for the remission phase is prophylaxis of further episodes. Antidepressant, antiepileptic, and antimigraine medications show an overall reduction or remission of CVS symptoms in more than 70% of patients. This article provides a summary of diagnostic strategies and reviews current management strategies for CVS.

Keywords: CVS; cyclic vomiting syndrome; emesis; hyperemesis; vomiting.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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