Cyclical vomiting from migraines can be relatively easy to predict. As the name indicates, these episodes are regular and happen in a time cycle over several weeks. Cyclical vomiting syndrome can happen more than one week apart but are regularly at the same time of the day, week, or month.
To get the right treatment for this condition, your doctor will need to make a proper diagnosis. Treatment usually starts with anti-sickness and anti-depressant medication. These will be similar to migraine treatments.
Drinking fluids after a vomiting episode is important for keeping your body from getting dehydrated. Eating a balanced diet and practicing meditation could also help you recover after the episode.
Cyclical vomiting syndrome is seen to affect children more than adults. Besides vomiting, you may also have abdominal pain, dizziness, lack of energy, and headaches. Some children will outgrow the episodes, but for others, cyclical vomiting turns into migraine headaches.
Cyclical vomiting syndrome is also known as abdominal migraines. This is because you have a lot of recurring abdominal pain. The same common causes for migraines have been linked to abdominal migraines too.
If you have a family history of migraines, anti-migraine therapies have been shown to be effective.
Once you’ve started understanding what triggers your cyclic vomiting spells, you can try to avoid them. Though avoiding your triggers won’t completely end the vomiting, it’ll help reduce how often you’re episodes occur.
Depending on how often your episodes occur, your doctor may prescribe preventative medicine. This can include:
- Amitriptyline
- Propranolol
- Cyproheptadine
- Topiramate
Another preventative measure you can take is making lifestyle changes. These include:
- Getting enough sleep
- Avoiding trigger foods like alcohol, caffeine, cheese, and chocolate
- Eating small meals and low-fat snacks
It would be best if you talked to your doctor about the right treatments and preventative measures for you. They'll be able to help you choose the right changes to make to alleviate your migraines and pain.
Cyclical vomiting syndrome isn't something to simply power through. You should take steps to change your lifestyle and avoid specific triggers that make your vomiting worse. Constant vomiting can take a significant toll on your body. It's best to manage your pain and help your body recover.
