But if this happens multiple times per year, it could be a sign of cyclic vomiting syndrome, an under-recognized disorder that’s believed to affect approximately 2 percent of people in the United States.
In July, partly because the disorder remains underdiagnosed and under-treated, the American Gastroenterological Association issued new clinical guidance to help doctors and patients recognize the signs and symptoms of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS, for short).
In a nutshell, CVS is a chronic disorder related to gut-brain interaction, and it’s characterized by recurrent episodes of nausea, vomiting, and dry heaving, separated by symptom-free periods in between.
But because modern diagnostics can’t show doctors what’s wrong, “sometimes it’s seen as made up.
And sometimes patients are blamed for their symptoms, even as their quality of life is significantly impaired.”

What is cyclic vomiting syndrome and how is it diagnosed?