Hyperemesis Cannabis Syndrome: What You Need to Know

If you think you have CHS or cannabis use disorder, talk to a healthcare provider. If you have cannabis use disorder and need help quitting, professional treatment is available. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) can affect people who use cannabis (marijuana) long-term. The most effective treatment is to stop using cannabis entirely. Returning to the substance is likely to cause symptoms to recur.

Managing the Symptoms at Home

• As the laws regarding the possession and use of marijuana change, CHS may become more prevalent because more people will have legal access to the drug.
• However, people often continue with cannabis use, believing that it relieves their symptoms, when in reality, it’s contributing to them.
• If you have cannabis use disorder and need help quitting, professional treatment is available.
• The throwing up can be bad and can cause you to be low on body water.

One 2018 study estimates that approximately 2.75 million Americans may suffer from CHS each year, but the true prevalence of the illness is largely unknown. When you take into account the millions of people in the United States who consume cannabis without complications, CHS is extremely rare. That said, it’s what is chs important for cannabis consumers to be aware of CHS, including its symptoms, causes, and how the condition is treated. The exact cause of CHS isn’t fully understood, but it is believed to be the body’s reaction to long-term cannabis use.

Understanding Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)

• Most people end up having an abdominal ultrasound, upper scope, and a test to see how fast stuff gets out of the stomach before we figure out that their problem is CVS or CHS.
• Researchers have identified two receptors called CB1 and CB2 to which marijuana molecules attach.
• But a 2019 study concluded that it potentially accounts for up to 6 percent of emergency room visits for recurrent vomiting.
• Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition caused by long-term marijuana use, characterized by recurrent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Additional symptoms include other gastrointestinal upset, anxiety, depression, food and odor sensitivities. Depending on the severity of one’s case, they may become dehydrated (some dangerously so), develop a fear of vomiting, weight loss, chills, constipation, diarrhea and burping. It is unclear exactly why cannabis causes CHS, especially considering that cannabis is often recommended as a way to prevent nausea and vomiting. One theory regards the effect that cannabis has on the digestive tract.

• It may sound like a made-up condition to discourage teenagers from trying cannabis, but CHS is very real — and it can be dangerous if not properly managed.
• While not a cure, hot water can provide temporary relief from nausea and abdominal pain.
• This early phase includes morning nausea, anxiety, and abdominal discomfort, but vomiting is rare.
• Symptoms may last for several months, and many people will go undiagnosed at this stage due to a lack of awareness of CHS, or attributing the symptoms to other causes.
• It causes repeated bouts of nausea, vomiting, and severe stomach pain, making daily life challenging.

Tough to treat

Following the hyperemetic phase is the recovery phase, in which patients resume normal eating patterns and symptoms begin to improve. BALTIMORE — An illness linked to chronic marijuana use is sending people to emergency rooms as cannabis legalization continues to spread across the country. Treating Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing their return. Since CHS is a condition directly linked to cannabis use, stopping cannabis is the most effective approach. A third phase, known as the recovery phase, takes place when an individual stops using marijuana. However, symptoms may return when they start using again, leading to a persistent cycle of symptoms.

Those who use marijuana at least once a week are at risk of developing CHS, as well as those who started their cannabis use during their teenage and young adult years. what is alcoholism It may be several years before people start experiencing symptoms of CHS. If you are experiencing CHS symptoms, the best thing you can do is to stop cannabis use and seek medical care immediately. Dehydration from vomiting can be fatal, so these symptoms should be taken seriously. In one study, about 84% of people who received treatment for CHS stopped using cannabis, and of those, about 86% reported resolution of symptoms. Experts believe only a fraction of habitual cannabis users develop CHS.