A telltale sign of CHS is that heat often temporarily relieves the condition’s symptoms. Hundreds of people told the Times that they spent hours in hot baths and showers. Some were even “burned by scalding water,” and one was injured when “in desperation, he pressed his body against a hot car,” the outlet said. With there being so little research on the syndrome, experts are not sure why heat soothes the symptoms, “nor why certain chronic marijuana users develop it and others don’t,” said the Times.
Can addiction treatment help with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
In the early phase of CHS, the individual may experience more subtle abdominal pain and nausea, especially in the morning. The condition seems to heroin addiction intensify over the course of months or years, and symptoms may escalate to more debilitating nausea, episodic vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, and dehydration. One hallmark characteristic of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is the alleviation of these acute symptoms with hot baths or showers. Since it was first identified in medical literature in 2004, CHS cases have increased, possibly because of greater cannabis access or higher THC potency of products. The onset of CHS tends to affect people “after years of using marijuana many times a week,” per the American College of Gastroenterology. The initial symptoms include nausea, belly pain and persistent vomiting.
Lawsuit against Aurora Cannabis cites CHS
We understand the complexities of addiction and work closely with individuals to create personalized recovery plans that address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. The exact cause of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome remains unclear, but there are several theories as to why it occurs in some chronic marijuana users. It is believed that prolonged marijuana use leads to overstimulation of the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is involved in regulating functions like mood, appetite, and gastrointestinal processes. Possibly an unknown genetic or environmental trigger is an underlying contributor for those who do develop it. And although CBD and CBG may contribute to CHS, THC is a necessary component of the syndrome. More research is being conducted to understand the connection between genetics and the environment in CHS.
How Common is CHS?
Doctors might try anti-nausea drugs or pain relievers, but real progress usually hinges on quitting cannabis. If vomiting is so frequent that you’re dangerously dehydrated, chs illness you might need hospital care. In that setting, medical staff can give you IV fluids, add electrolytes, and provide nutrition if you can’t keep food down. Researchers believe that cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is brought about by heavy cannabis consumption. 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.
- The widely known antiemetic properties of cannabis make the paradoxical symptoms of CHS difficult for many patients to accept, especially if they have cannabis use disorder.
- “There is evidence that if you send a message to the brain that competes with the message that’s causing the nausea, vomiting, that you can suppress it,” Camilleri said.
- The existence of CHS was a mystery to clinicians until very recently.
Long-Term Recovery from CHS
- You can look for the tell-tale signs of CHS to diagnose yourself so you can try to relieve your symptoms, but the only real treatment is to stop using marijuana.
- Because of this possible complication, it’s important to use caution with marijuana and other cannabis products.
- Hagler, who has been cannabis-free for five years, said she started a Facebook group to help others who say they are dealing with the condition.
CVS is actually a type of migraine condition that usually appears during infancy or childhood and develops into more classic migraine symptoms later on. Studies on CHS on the other hand have found the average age of onset to be 32 years old, and does not seem to be related to migraine. This means that getting diagnosed could be key to preventing other health risks for this vulnerable population. 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.
These vomiting bouts feel relentless and severe, and https://ecosoberhouse.com/ over-the-counter medications rarely help. The only immediate relief often comes from taking very hot baths or showers. However, one study indicated that over 32% of people who identified as frequent marijuana users and visited an emergency department met the criteria for CHS.
