Splanchnic vasodilation – THC alters blood flow, potentially contributing to nausea and abdominal pain. In one study, about 84% of people who received treatment for CHS stopped using cannabis, and of those, about 86% reported resolution of symptoms. One study found up to 6% of people who went to the emergency room for cyclical vomiting had CHS. The only treatment that can get rid of CHS symptoms for good is to stop using cannabis completely.
Patients & Families
By increasing awareness and understanding of CHS, healthcare providers chs syndrome can better support patients and reduce the frequency of emergency department visits linked to cannabis-related issues. Diagnosis can be challenging, and CHS may be misdiagnosed as many other disorders, including cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). Although some patients who use marijuana present with CVS, there are several differentiating factors between CVS and CHS. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition in which a patient experiences cyclical nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain after using cannabis.
The 6 Stages of Mental Health Recovery
It’s a condition that can lead to serious health complications if you don’t get treatment for it. These treatments focus on stopping cannabis use and supporting overall recovery. GARD uses information gathered from the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s MedGen to help in explaining genetic and rare diseases. 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.
Effects and Risk Factors of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
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. Since there are so many active chemicals in cannabis, the exact cause of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is unknown.
Mental Health Resources
Treatment centers provide programs that support individuals in overcoming marijuana addiction and managing CHS symptoms through professional care, therapy, and aftercare support. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is often linked to marijuana addiction, as https://ecosoberhouse.com/ those with CHS typically have a long history of chronic marijuana use. 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. The condition can be particularly challenging because the symptoms are often mistaken for other gastrointestinal disorders, and they may not appear immediately after someone begins using marijuana.
⚠️ Conditions That Can Mimic CHS
Cannabis can both induce and subdue vomiting, a paradox doctors don’t fully understand, Camilleri said. Medical marijuana has long been prescribed for nausea and appetite loss for people with cancer and HIV/AIDS, and the Food and Drug Administration has approved drugs with synthetic THC for use by chemotherapy patients. Cannabis has many active ingredients, including tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. When it binds to the said receptors in the brain, it leads to a high or a rush of pleasurable feelings.
- Early morning nausea, repeated vomiting, and disrupted normal eating patterns may indicate cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.
- THC is what’s responsible for the “high” most people feel when they use marijuana.
- People who use marijuana long-term — typically for about 10 to 12 years — are at risk of developing CHS.
- That may be because you have used it for many years without having any problems.
While it is possible to return to feeling normal during the recovery phase, research indicates that symptoms recur if cannabis use resumes. THC and other chemicals in cannabis also bind to molecules in your digestive tract. These chemicals can change the time it takes your stomach to empty food. Additionally, not all cannabis users develop CHS, causing further difficulty in describing the syndrome. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. Unfortunately, CHS cannot even be predicted, let alone prevented.
Complications
Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve recovery outcomes. It’s important to seek medical advice for proper management and avoid further cannabis use to prevent recurring episodes. CHS has several phases, which have been classified as preemetic, hyperemetic, and recovery.9,16 The preemetic phase, which can last for months to years, is characterized by nausea, fear of vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. This may lead to weight loss and acute dehydration, potentially resulting in prerenal failure.17,18 The persistent nausea and vomiting can cause electrolyte abnormalities to develop. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or alcohol rehab other qualified healthcare provider. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a subtype of cyclic vomiting syndrome, causes repeated nausea and vomiting, with symptoms resolving during the recovery phase after cannabis cessation.
- A doctor confirmed that Brittany’s years of cannabis use had manifested in CHS.
- If an individual receives one normal gene and one abnormal gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms.
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) can affect people who use cannabis (marijuana) long-term.
- Once you do that, your repeated nausea and vomiting should go away and not return.
How is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome treated?
This factor is a key distinguishing feature from cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, where the toxicokinetics of cannabis itself influence the course of the disease. Haloperidol exerts antipsychotic effects by antagonizing dopamine D2 receptors in the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways. Haloperidol is traditionally used to treat agitation; however, it has been used successfully as an antiemetic in general surgery and oncology. D2 receptors are also present in the chemoreceptor trigger zone, which may account for these antiemetic properties.
In refractory CHS cases, experimental therapies such as benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and dopaminergic agents like haloperidol have been explored. While the evidence supporting their efficacy is limited, these options could be considered in specific scenarios where conventional treatments prove inadequate. Furthermore, heat-induced vasodilation might facilitate toxin elimination through the skin, aiding in the detoxification process and potentially contributing to symptom improvement in individuals with CHS. GARD uses the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) for standard terminology to represent a disease’s phenotypic and clinical features.
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