People with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome may require hospitalization in order to maintain hydration while their nausea and vomiting persist. While anti-emetic or anti-nausea medications would make sense as treatments for CHS, the hard reality is that they aren’t solving the underlying issue. This is where Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome, or CHS, comes into the picture. It’s a condition that isn’t widely known, yet it’s affecting more people than ever before.
What is CHS, and what causes it? What are the CHS symptoms?
But too many of them may increase your risk for dehydration due to sweating. The only way to end CHS symptoms is to completely stop using all marijuana products. After you quit, you may still have symptoms and side effects for a few days to a few weeks. The CHS recovery phase starts when you stop your marijuana use. When you do this, your symptoms usually start to go away in few days to a few months. Over time, the symptoms will go away completely unless you start to use again.
- This is a recently discovered disease condition that occurs in people that affects habitual consumers of cannabis.
- A community connecting cannabis consumers, patients, retailers, doctors, and brands since 2008.
How do you prevent CHS?
In most cases, patients have been consuming cannabis daily or nearly daily for long periods of time—often several years—before the onset of symptoms. So far, there is little to no evidence of CHS occurring without the patient having a history of heavy cannabis usage. The numbers indicate that developing CHS is very uncommon even among those who consume cannabis regularly. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition where long-term cannabis users experience episodes of severe nausea and vomiting.
Full Spectrum CBD: What It Is and How It Differs From Other CBD Types
CHS patients are often treated https://ecosoberhouse.com/ as they are crazy or that their issues are psychosomatic. Because CHS has previously been an enigma, hypothesis’ have abound about what could be causing CHS. Patients are encouraged to order the test through their physician as a part of the diagnostic process.
- Supportive Housing provides better outcomes and is fiscally responsible.
- But when it does, it represents a potentially serious health condition.
- Moreover, if the chronic use dates to the early teens, it may severely damage bodily systems and functions that have not fully developed.
- People suffering CHS often self-medicate with over-the-counter antacids, but some increase their cannabis use, thinking it will remedy the problem.
- Both conditions highlight the complexities of substance use, emphasizing the need for awareness and education about their potential health impacts.
How To Prevent Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
Persistent vomiting can also cause a rip or tear in your esophagus. Frequent vomiting from CHS can damage the lining of the esophagus, causing esophagitis. The pain of esophagitis can go from your upper abdomen into your chest and even your jaw. It may hurt when food is passing through the esophagus on the way to your stomach.
Can Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Be Treated?
Be safe and minimize the risk by speaking with a licensed physician. “Anecdotally, it does feel like we are seeing a lot more patients coming in with CHS, with vomiting, with abdominal pain,” Wilbert said. Researchers analyzed data from emergency rooms across the country and found that cases of CHS, particularly among younger adults, have increased significantly in recent years. This increase correlates with the growing legalization of cannabis and possibly also with the increase in THC content in modern cannabis products. The symptoms of CHS are so intense that sufferers often scream in pain while vomiting, giving rise to the term ‘scromiting’. CHICAGO / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – A new study shows that cases of scromiting syndrome, a serious side effect of long-term cannabis use, are increasing in the United States.
Is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome dangerous?
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is divided into three different phases, which are described in a 2013 article from Hospital Pharmacy journal. The initial phase—also known as the prodromal phase—is characterized by mild symptoms and can last for months or years. During this time, patients may experience early morning nausea, a fear of vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. It isn’t entirely known what causes some people to experience the symptoms of CHS while others do not.
We do know that the cannabis plant contains scores of identified cannabinoids. The best known include THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). These chemical properties bind to neuroreceptors throughout the brain and body. They account for most of the expected cannabis experiences for medicinal or recreational aims.
CHS is a condition caused by chronic and repeated cannabis use that leads to severe nausea and vomiting. Many people experience temporary relief from their nausea and vomiting when bathing in hot water. Some people with CHS may compulsively bathe in hot water for hours a day to find relief. CHS is a rare condition that may result from long-term cannabis use. People with the condition often experience severe nausea and repeated vomiting. Sustained hydration is important beyond the IV stage, requiring consistent intake of clear fluids and electrolyte-rich beverages to fully correct imbalances.
The most significant long-term effect of CHS is the persistent need to avoid cannabis to prevent recurrence. There isn’t strong evidence to suggest that CHS itself causes permanent organ damage after you’ve recovered and stopped using cannabis, provided acute episodes were managed properly. The most effective way to prevent CHS is to avoid chronic use of cannabis. They may also prescribe antipsychotic medications such as haloperidol (Haldol) or olanzapine (Zyprexa) to help you calm down as you switch to the recovery phase. Some people call certain symptoms of CHS “scromiting.” The term combines “vomiting” and “screaming.” You may have intense pain, which causes you to scream while you vomit. Symptoms of CHS typically come on is chs permanent several years after the start of chronic marijuana use.
Research shows that when people with CHS resume smoking marijuana, they typically start experiencing symptoms again, most notably stomach pain and cyclic nausea and vomiting. Once you have CHS, the only proven way to treat it and keep it from returning is to stop consuming cannabis. Cannabis users who experience persistent nausea and vomiting should consider seeking a diagnosis to drug addiction treatment find out if they have CHS. In the meantime, hot showers or hot bathing may offer short-term relief. Individuals who have used cannabis at least weekly since adolescence seem most at risk.
