The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has issued new clinical guidance on cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS), a disorder that causes sudden, severe episodes of nausea and vomiting. The guidance aims to help clinicians and patients more effectively identify the signs and symptoms of CVS, leading to faster diagnosis and better treatment options.
“Most patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) can benefit substantially from currently available treatments, but this disorder remains poorly recognized by clinicians,” author Dr. David Levinthal told The Epoch Times.
“Thus, there remains a very large ‘treatment gap’ for adults that continue to suffer needlessly without access to effective therapy. We hope that this clinical practice update will draw attention to CVS and educate the medical community about how to diagnose and treat this disorder,” he said.
Dr. Levinthal is the director of the Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and one of the authors of the AGA Clinical Practice Update.
What Is CVS?
Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a common, debilitating condition affecting up to two percent of the population. According to the press release, most patients can go for years without receiving a diagnosis and effective treatment.Although there are effective treatments for CVS, the condition often remains undiagnosed and, as a result, is not treated correctly. According to the press release, CVS is frequently misdiagnosed as stomach flu or food poisoning, and the new guidelines state that many patients undergo years of delays, unnecessary testing, and even surgical procedures.
Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a long-term condition involving the gut and brain, which is marked by sudden bouts of severe nausea, vomiting, and retching, followed by periods that are free of symptoms.
Who Is At Risk?
While CVS can affect anyone, it is more prevalent in women and young adults.Better Care for Patients
Dr. Levinthal shared with The Epoch Times his insights on how the new guidelines will inform patient care moving forward:“We sought to make this clinical practice update as practical as possible—highlighting what is typical in CVS-related care, while also recognizing some of the challenges to management. We hope that this guidance helps clinicians work with their CVS patients to implement the best care possible.”
He says this includes educating patients about lifestyle interventions that can positively impact the condition, what medications can be taken and when, and which CVS patients could most benefit.
“We have tried to create a ‘state of the art’ guide for CVS management, and hopefully, this really will impact patient care,” he said.
While the new guidelines aim to increase awareness of CVS among both clinicians and patients, Dr. Levinthal emphasized that further research is necessary because some aspects of CVS remain unclear.
Increased Awareness, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Dr. Levinthal highlights that the updated guidelines include several important points.“The key to improving the diagnostic gap for CVS is to recognize the defining episodic nature of the illness. And CVS is often responsive to treatment. In essence, improving the clinical recognition of CVS will serve to improve health for adults suffering for years without relief.”