Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

Overview :

Children in the pre-school or early school years are most susceptible to CVS, although it can appear anywhere from infancy to adulthood. One doctor reports that 43 of the 233 patients with CVS that he has treated were adults when their symptoms began. The average age of patients at onset is 5.2 years, but CVS has been diagnosed in patients as old as 73. This disorder was identified over a century ago, but its cause is still unknown. Episodes can be triggered by emotional stress or infections (particularly sinusitis), can last hours or days, and can return at any time. Abdominal pain is a frequent feature.

CVS appears to affect all races equally. The female:male ratio has been reported as 11:9.