DEAR DR. GOTT:
You addressed cyclic vomiting syndrome in your column and I subsequently saw a medical program on the topic. It is not caused by a gastrointestinal problem, but a neurological one and is currently being treated with daily sedatives and possible brain surgery similar to that used to treat epileptics.

DEAR READER:
The article to which you are referring was printed several months ago. In the column I clearly stated that there was no known cause of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS).

The information I reviewed before publishing the article (which can be found at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cvs/index.htm) did not mention brain surgery as a remedy. It did mention that there is a possible link between CVS, migraines and abdominal migraines which points to possible neurological involvement but no firm studies have proven this. [Read more...]

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My grandson is 29 years old. He has been suffering with cyclic vomiting syndrome since his early college years. He is in and out of the hospital because of these episodes and is so thin I am afraid for him.

The doctors say there is no cure for this condition but I am holding out hope that someone in the medical profession knows something that can help him.

DEAR READER:
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a little known ailment. There is no known cause and it is not known how many people actually have the disorder. One study suggests that as many as one in 50 children may suffer from CVS. Because there are several disorders that can cause cyclic vomiting, many people are initially misdiagnosed until other disorders have been ruled out. [Read more...]