Initial symptoms are feeling sick to the stomach, belly pain and the feeling like you may throw up. After about years of chronic marijuana use, patients begin to have a strong feeling of sickness, throwing up, chs marijuana and belly pain. This is normally when people go see a doctor to find out what is causing these problems. They start to feel better when they stop using marijuana but can feel bad if they use it again. Some people with conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and nausea believe that marijuana helps them.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Help
- It’s still not clear which of the more than 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis are responsible for CHS, but it’s thought that CBD could potentially be a contributor.
- People with CHS often find temporary relief from these symptoms by taking hot baths and showers.
- Researchers have identified two receptors called CB1 and CB2 to which marijuana molecules attach.
- “So, people might not be actively smoking it but still might have a fairly significant amount of THC coming out of your system, and it can be enough to trigger symptoms,” he said.
While these are all just theories, they make sense with what we know about cannabis and its impact on the human body. But there are a number of theories about why cannabis could lead to CHS. When first discovered in 2004, the condition was considered rare. But over the next decade, more cases of CHS started to show up in the medical literature. Doctors named the condition Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (abbreviated as CHS), but had very little information on why it happened or how to treat it.
Research on Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
And a 2022 Canadian study found that ER visits for https://ecosoberhouse.com/ CHS-related problems had increased 13-fold between 2014 and 2021. (Recreational use and sale of cannabis in Canada was legalized starting in 2018). It’s not clear what percentage of all heavy marijuana users have experienced CHS.
What Are the Possible Complications of CHS?
- This is more common in men than women and usually starts around 35 years old.
- While this opportunity is now closed, consumers can access more than 400 safer, tested cannabis products at their local dispensary or through delivery at the link below.
- You may need to see a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in the digestive tract, for a proper diagnosis.
- What has never been clear was why only some heavy users of cannabis seem to be affected.
Most people with CHS who stop using cannabis have relief from symptoms within 10 days. It’s a condition that can lead to serious health complications if you don’t get treatment for it. Registered patients can buy medical cannabis products from dispensing facilities operated by registered organizations across New York State. CHS symptoms typically present in a cyclical pattern every few weeks to months when cannabis is being used. One study found up to 6% of people who went to the emergency room for cyclical vomiting had CHS.
Who is at Risk for Developing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?
In other cases, patients may be misdiagnosed with CHS when they DO actually have another condition. For instance, one case study describes a patient who was diagnosed with CHS when she actually has a rare and often deadly condition called superior mesenteric artery syndrome. While more people are becoming aware of the condition, there are several factors that can delay diagnosis and treatment. For one thing, it is often misdiagnosed as other conditions, delaying treatment and recommendations for cannabis abstinence. This can be a costly process, with one study suggesting costs as high $95,000 in 2012 to go through all the medical visits Oxford House and testing that happened prior to the diagnosis.
- Addiction treatment is a critical component of managing CHS, helping individuals not only to alleviate symptoms but also to address the underlying cause of the condition—marijuana dependency.
- Some people with CHS may compulsively bathe in hot water for hours a day to find relief.
Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what causes CHS in some people who regularly use cannabis but not others. What has never been clear was why only some heavy users of cannabis seem to be affected. THC is also known for having biphasic effects, which means it can cause two opposite effects at different doses. Some have suggested that high doses might cause the anti-emetic effects to flip into a pro-emetic syndrome.
Prodromal stage
- You may have symptoms and side effects of CHS for a few weeks after quitting cannabis.
- Hot baths may relieve the nausea for a while, but they don’t cure CHS.
- 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.
- If you have cannabis use disorder and need help quitting, professional treatment is available.
- 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.
- At low doses, the effect of cannabis on your brain can have an antiemetic effect that suppresses nausea and vomiting.
The top reason marijuana users seek help in ERs is a malady known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS. The only treatments available to people with CHS are those that restore hydration and help control nausea and vomiting. As people with CHS often only consult their doctors during the hyperemesis stage, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the treatment of people during the prodromal stage. People in the hyperemesis stage will experience intense and persistent nausea and vomiting. Many people with CHS go to their doctor or an emergency room (ER) for treatment. However, doctors may find it challenging to diagnose the syndrome because people tend not to report their use of marijuana.
It’s a serious medical problem that can cause major health issues if you leave it untreated. If you have any symptoms of severe dehydration, like dizziness, confusion and a rapid heartbeat, call 911 right away. Experts believe only a fraction of habitual cannabis users develop CHS.
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Researchers are trying to understand why some people develop it and others don’t. Right now, the only known effective treatment for CHS is to stop using cannabis. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a somewhat rare problem that involves severe bouts of vomiting.