Cyclical vomiting syndrome is a condition of unknown cause which often presents in young children (age 3-7 years old) with episodes of reccurent nausea and vomiting. Between episodes children are well. This condition often resolves in adolescence but can persist. It may also present at any age with episodes of colicky abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Episodes often last for several days and then ease and people tend to be well between episodes. Interestingly many patients find that periods of stress are associated with worsening symptoms and this may reflect the impact that environmental influences have on gastric function and emptying as discussed in brief in the section on gastroparesis and delayed gastric emptying.

 

Exacerbations of cyclical vomiting syndrome are sometimes associated with cannabis use, although strictly speaking it is a condition distinct from but with very similar symptoms to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. This is driven by cannabis use and presents with episodes of nausea vomiting and colicky abdominal pain. It is usually seen in people using cannabis more than once a week and often improves when cannabis use ceases.