Vomiting, Cyclic

Basics

Description

  • An idiopathic disorder characterized by recurrent, separate episodes of disabling nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain lasting hours to days, separated by symptom-free intervals
  • Adult population – average age of onset is 37
  • Pediatric population – average age of onset is 5
  • General characteristics:
    • Phase 1: Interepisodic phase:
      • Minimal symptoms
    • Phase 2: Prodromal phase:
      • Varying intensity of nausea and abdominal pain
    • Phase 3: Emetic phase:
      • Intense vomiting, and abdominal pain and neurologic symptoms
    • Phase 4: Recovery phase:
      • Improvement of nausea, tolerance of PO intake, and return to baseline

Epidemiology

Incidence And Prevalence Estimates

  • True incidence and prevalence in adult general population unknown due to limited data and research
  • Prevalence estimated to be 2% in both pediatric and adult population

Etiology

  • Etiology unknown
  • Pathophysiology is also unknown but likely multifactorial:
    • Consistent association between cyclic vomiting and migraines
    • Research suggests multifactorial factors such as autonomic, mitochondrial dysfunction, food allergens, menses, and use of cannabis

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