Paradoxically, CHS causes excessive vomiting and is related to long-term marijuana use. Understanding what CHS is, can help us better understand why the syndrome affects some people the way it does. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a somewhat rare problem that involves severe bouts of vomiting. It is more common among those who use cannabis daily for years. As more states make recreational use of cannabis legal, it is thought that chs weed this problem will become more common. In one study of frequent cannabis users with potential CHS symptoms, 33% of participants met the definition of CHS.
What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
- A greater understanding of the natural course of the syndrome and response to marijuana cessation may be gained with longer lengths of follow-up.
- I spent that entire vacation in bed getting sick throughout the day, unable to eat and could barely drink water.
- Overnight, the nursing staff reported that the patient took multiple, prolonged hot showers.
- The most effective treatment is stopping marijuana use, which can be achieved through medical detoxification and therapy.
The recovery phase occurs when individuals cease marijuana use. They then regain weight and resume normal bathing and eating habits. This stage can last for days, weeks or months if no marijuana is used. People with the disorder often feel cyclic periods of nausea for months or years. But most symptoms subside in a couple days if no marijuana is used. The only way to stop CHS and its symptoms is to completely quit using cannabis.
Knowing When to Seek Medical Help
Because CHS is a fairly new medical condition, not all doctors know about it. Or they might think it’s something else, since repeated throwing up is a sign of many health problems. You may need to see a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in the digestive tract, for a proper diagnosis. Most people with CHS who stop using cannabis have relief from symptoms within 10 days. Hot baths may relieve the nausea for a while, but they don’t cure CHS. Taking too many hot baths can increase dehydration due to sweating.
General Health
People in the hyperemesis stage will experience intense and persistent nausea and vomiting. On the basis that only a small number of regular and long term users of marijuana develop CHS, some researchers suggest that genetics might play a role. Other researchers theorize that the effects of marijuana can change with chronic use. The disorder confuses many medical experts because the primary ingredient in marijuana, THC, has anti-nausea effects.
Managing the Symptoms at Home
After recovery, any resumption of cannabis use can quickly trigger a return of symptoms. I have not had a single day where I’ve fought for someone else’s jubilation more than my own. I have not had a single day where I’ve believed the subdued nature cannabis induces is worth sacrificing the joys that everyday life can bring you. From my therapist, I have learned to ride the wave, and that any decision made in the moment can have repercussions that will last a lifetime. From my family, I have learned unconditional affection and unconditional love for the experience of life. From myself, I have learned that I am inherently valuable, I am deserving of joy.
With the legalization of recreational cannabis in 11 states and Washington, DC, as well as medical legalization in 33 states, a record number of Americans are consuming cannabis. According to a recent poll, approximately 34 million American adults use cannabis on a regular Drug rehabilitation basis (at least twice monthly). With this rise in use comes a new set of challenges for healthcare professionals, including an increase in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a poorly understood condition that affects habitual cannabis users. CHS can become dangerous if the patient does not stop consuming cannabis and if the disorder is left untreated. Specifically, CHS becomes dangerous when the primary symptoms of the condition — abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting — become so drastic that the patient ends up becoming severely dehydrated. If severe episodes of vomiting occur, hospitalization may be necessary to treat dehydration or stomach inflammation.
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- Nausea and vomiting in this phase are refractory to antiemetic medications.
- This stage is characterized by abdominal discomfort, early morning nausea and a fear of vomiting.
- Appetite is typically unaffected during this phase, but researchers note that consumers tend to administer more cannabis as a nausea remedy.
Many patients find temporary relief through soothing hot baths or showers, which can ease discomfort. In more severe cases, hospitalization may be required to provide intravenous fluids and close monitoring, ensuring that individuals receive the care they need. As the number of CHS cases appears to be rising, especially in North America, it is increasingly common in emergency departments. This trend highlights the urgent need for further research and preventative education. Healthcare providers emphasize the importance of treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms, as the stigma surrounding marijuana use can complicate both diagnosis and treatment. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a complex condition that can bring about intense nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a form of functional gut-brain axis disorder characterized by bouts of episodic nausea and vomiting worsened by cannabis intake. It is considered as a variant of cyclical vomiting syndrome seen in cannabis users especially characterized by compulsive hot bathing/showers to relieve the symptoms. CHS was reported for the first time in 2004, and since then, an increasing number of cases have been reported. With cannabis use increasing throughout the world as the threshold for legalization becomes lower, its user numbers are expected to rise over time. Despite this trend, a strict criterion for the diagnosis of CHS is lacking.
- Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (aka CHS) is a rare form of non-stop vomiting related to too much cannabis use.Read about the history, prevalence, causes, and cures in this expert research review.
- Patients in that study went to the ER an average of 22 times for their symptoms before getting a diagnosis.
- THC is also known for having biphasic effects, which means it can cause two opposite effects at different doses.
- Be factual and straightforward when explaining CHS to patients, and advocate for necessary supportive measures to aid cannabis cessation.
- Another doctor reported using a combination of injectable lorazepam and promethazine, another antinausea medication.
- The majority of reported cases that have provided follow-up included a period of less than one year 6,52,54,56–60,62,68,71.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Prevention
Typical antiemetics such as ondansetron, commonly known as Zofran, have often been found ineffective at suppressing nausea caused by CHS. There are some drugs that may help, such as amitriptyline, Camilleri said. Doctors at the hospital ran tests and ordered scans but could not name the source of her unrelenting nausea and vomiting. It was so bad she thought it might be a recurrence of her severe pancreatitis, the illness for which she once had been hospitalized and put on life support. Although it was considered to be rare, the number of cases has increased with the legalization of marijuana in many places and the opening of retail stores to easily get it. This has increased both the number of people using the drug and the “high” in the available weed.