The symptoms of cyclic vomiting syndrome include:

Severe vomiting that occurs several times an hour & lasts less than a week.

Three or more episodes of vomiting, with no apparent cause, in the past yr.

Other symptoms during a vomiting episode may include:

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Fever

Dizziness

Sensitivity to light

The intervals between vomiting episodes are generally symptom-free. But some people experience mild to moderate nausea or abdominal or limb pain between episodes.

The cause of cyclic vomiting syndrome is unknown. But the bouts of vomiting that characterize the syndrome can be triggered by:

Colds, allergies or sinus problems

Emotional stress or excitement, especially in children

Anxiety or panic attacks, especially in adults

Foods, such as chocolate or cheese

Overeating or eating right before going to bed

Hot weather

Physical exhaustion

Menstruation

Motion sickness

The relationship between migraines and cyclic vomiting syndrome isn't clear. But many children with cyclic vomiting syndrome have a family history of migraines or have migraines themselves when they get older. In adults, the association between cyclic vomiting syndrome and migraine may be lower.