Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Treatment, Symptoms, More

They’ll also examine your abdomen and may order tests to rule out other causes of vomiting. CHS symptoms typically present in a cyclical pattern every few weeks to months when cannabis is being used. The only treatment that can get rid of CHS symptoms for good is to stop using cannabis completely. But there are some other treatments that may help manage your symptoms and make you feel better. As CHS is a relatively recently recognized and studied phenomenon easily confused with other diseases, there is a paucity of sizeable randomized control studies. Most resources and recommendations come from case studies and expert opinions.

What happens if cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is left untreated?

The first reports came from doctors treating regular users of marijuana for nausea and vomiting in South Australia. Rates of cannabis use disorder have spiked in the past 40 to 50 years, D’Souza said, with some studies suggesting between 20 and 30 percent of marijuana users meeting the criteria for the disorder. While waiting for answers, she noticed an educational pamphlet on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a little-known illness characterized by an onset of intense vomiting. She wondered if her gastric distress might have been caused by the marijuana she regularly and legally smoked at her home in Toronto. To diagnose CHS, a healthcare professional will study your symptoms and ask you questions.

What Are the Health Complications of CHS?

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that sometimes develops due to the long term use of marijuana. The only way to stop CHS and its symptoms is to completely quit using cannabis. Most people who quit using cannabis experience no more CHS symptoms within 10 days, but sometimes it may take weeks or months for symptoms to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ stop. Symptoms of CHS likely won’t return if you’ve completely stopped using cannabis. One 2018 study found that 32.9% of self-reported frequent marijuana users who’d gone to the emergency room (ER) had symptoms of CHS. And a 2022 Canadian study found that ER visits for CHS-related problems had increased 13-fold between 2014 and 2021.

Clinical Presentation, work up and differential diagnosis of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

In addition to appropriate antiemetic therapy, fluid resuscitation, and management of the patient’s symptoms, patients must recognize behaviors and exposures that place them at risk for their pathology. For supportive care, a clinician should work together with the pharmacist to see if any medications could contribute to the patient’s presentation. If administering antiemetics, the nursing staff should be familiar with the adverse event profile so they can report any concerns that may arise. As long as you don’t use marijuana, your symptoms shouldn’t return. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor whether a drug rehabilitation program is a good fit for you.

Cannabidiol, in contrast to THC, is non-psychotropic, has a low affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors [27], and acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor [28]. CBD enhances the expression of CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus and amplifies the hypothermic effects caused by THC [29]. In animals the effect of CBD on toxin-induced vomiting displays a biphasic response with low doses producing an anti-emetic effect whereas higher doses enhance vomiting [30,31]. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is characterized by a series of symptoms that may change depending on whether the individual is in the prodromal, hyperemetic, or recovery phase of the condition.

• It’s thought that genetics may play a role because only a small number of people who regularly use cannabis develop CHS.
• Doctors also noticed that individuals with CHS would take frequent hot showers and baths.
• One study found up to 6% of people who went to the emergency room for cyclical vomiting had CHS.
• Doctors currently lack knowledge of the condition, and there are no clinical guidelines for its treatment and management.
• THC exhibits an anti-emetic effect in the central nervous system.
• The characteristics, signs, and symptoms of CHS were discussed with the patient.

How common is cannabis hyperemesis syndrome?

However, symptoms almost always return if you resume using marijuana. Since its symptoms are easily confused with other conditions, it can take about one to two years before people who seek medical help with CHS get an accurate diagnosis. In one study of frequent cannabis users with potential CHS symptoms, 33% of participants met the definition of CHS. When expanded to the general U.S. population, research indicates that about 2.75 million Americans annually may experience CHS. With the continued use of cannabis and a lack of treatment, symptoms become more intense.

Results from these case studies suggest that lorazepam might be an effective drug to control symptoms during the hyperemesis stage. Some people with CHS require pain relievers if abdominal pain is present. Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of CHS do not currently exist. Some researchers have published their findings from their personal experience with the condition in clinical journals. He also warned that people with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, should be cautious about marijuana use, as studies show cannabis can exacerbate the effects of those illnesses. Neither the psychological treatments nor the pharmacological treatments seem to be that effective,” he said.

Research is ongoing on the exact way that cannabis triggers this problem. In the meantime, the best way to relieve CHS symptoms is to stop using the drug. cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome Chronic cannabis use is the primary risk factor for developing CHS. Using cannabis for a prolonged period increases your risk of this condition.

How Is CHS Treated?

The patient’s urine drug screen (UDS) was positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A computed tomography (CT) scan of his abdomen and pelvis with contrast was unremarkable. The patient was admitted for his inability to tolerate oral intake and dehydration and treated supportively with IV fluids and antiemetics. CHS is a newly identified condition, so doctors currently know little about it. No clinical guidelines exist, so they must rely on published case reports to treat people with CHS.

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If you use cannabis often and frequently experience vomiting and nausea, you should tell a healthcare professional. Ultimately, the treatment of any illness is the removal of precipitating factors, not merely the management of its symptoms. In older patients, especially those with hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses such as aortic pathology and atypical coronary artery syndromes may present as vague abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.