Diagnosis

Cyclic vomiting syndrome can be difficult to diagnose. There's no specific test to confirm the diagnosis, and vomiting is a sign of many conditions that must be ruled out first.

The doctor will start by asking about your child's or your medical history and conducting a physical exam. The doctor will also want to know about the pattern of symptoms that you or your child experiences.

After that, the doctor may recommend:

• Imaging studies — such as endoscopy, ultrasound or a CT scan — to check for blockages in the digestive system or signs of other digestive conditions
• Motility tests to monitor the movement of food through the digestive system and to check for digestive disorders
• Laboratory tests to check for thyroid problems and other metabolic conditions