Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: Causes, Treatment, and More

Diagnosing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) can be challenging because its symptoms, like severe nausea and vomiting, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ are common in many conditions. However, certain patterns can help doctors identify CHS more accurately. Here’s how CHS is diagnosed and how it differs from other conditions.

Symptoms and Causes

Ultimately, the treatment of any illness is the removal of precipitating factors, not merely the management of its symptoms. One study found that 32.9% of self-reported frequent marijuana users who came to an emergency department for care met the criteria for CHS. With the widespread use, increased potency and legalization of marijuana in multiple states in the U.S., CHS may be becoming increasingly common. “The way to make the diagnosis is to come off cannabis, proving retrospectively that it’s the cannabis that was causing the symptoms,” Andrews explains. Because it requires many months of abstinence to diagnose CHS, some chronic cannabis users are reluctant to go down that path, experts say.

• If the endocannabinoid system gets disrupted by excessive use of cannabinoids, the stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system may occur.
• Opioids, while often prescribed for the patient’s debilitating abdominal pain, are not appropriate for CHS, as they may, in fact, worsen nausea and vomiting.
• After you quit, you may still have symptoms and side effects for a few days to a few weeks.
• Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a rare problem that causes constant vomiting.
• Cannabidiol (CBD), another major cannabinoid, has gained attention for its potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective effects 1.
• There is a clear need for more robust studies to assess the prevalence, demographics, and long-term outcomes of CHS in a variety of populations.

Symptoms

But because CHS is a somewhat newly discovered condition that was first diagnosed in 2004, some people may be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. 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.

• Certain therapies, such as taking hot showers or using prescription medications, may help relieve symptoms.
• Substances like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and other chemicals in cannabis bind to molecules in your brain to trigger the “high” that can occur when using cannabis products.
• In contrast, motivational interviewing attempts to build motivation in an empathic and non-judgemental environment and emphasize the importance of self-efficacy and positive change.
• But because CHS is a somewhat newly discovered condition that was first diagnosed in 2004, some people may be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
• Doxepin is generally better tolerated and is started at a dose of 10 mg.

How Common Is CHS?

Since 2004, doctors have identified key symptoms and characteristics of the condition that can help speed up diagnosis. However, researchers have yet to determine the cause of CHS since it does not affect all users of marijuana. The only treatments available to people with CHS are those that restore hydration and help control nausea and vomiting.

Patients may also benefit from oral lorazepam tablets, doses between 0.5 to 1 mg every 6 to Halfway house 8 h on discharge. Benzodiazepines, with their gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonistic actions, inhibit the medullary and vestibular nuclei, causing anti-emetic action. Additionally, anxiolytic and sedative properties aid in counteracting the abnormal sympathetic nervous system response, helping in the reduction in vomiting and decreasing pain perception 67. In this phase, patients gradually resume normal eating and dietary habits. Patients experience complete relief of the symptoms, which can last days, weeks, or even months. The duration of this phase ranges from weeks to months, depending on resuming marijuana use, which may trigger another relapse.

Mindfulness-based meditation is a new approach that promotes inner reflection and acceptance of experiences and negative effects by enhancing present-moment awareness and thus decreases the impact of triggers of use 93. The holistic management options would provide a more comprehensive approach to long-term care. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems play interlinked roles in emesis. The chemoreceptor trigger zone sends signals via the efferent vagus nerve, triggering responses in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

CHS is a rare condition that affects some habitual cannabis users. Certain therapies, such as taking hot showers or using prescription medications, may help relieve symptoms. Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) can greatly disrupt a person’s life.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Complications

Right now, the only known effective treatment for CHS is to stop using cannabis. The only way to prevent CHS is to avoid using any form of marijuana. It’s still possible to develop CHS if you use cannabis for many years without having any problems. THC and other chemicals in cannabis also bind to molecules in your digestive tract.

• 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.
• A representative can refer you to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain are the hallmark symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).
• The prodromal phase can last for months, or even years in some cases.
• These cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2), which are distributed throughout the body.

Narcotic pain medications, for instance, should generally be avoided in CHS patients. Opioids may exacerbate CHS symptoms due to their association with bowel dysfunction, and they could also potentially lead to opioid dependence in chronic users 47. Additionally, the prolonged use of certain antiemetics, such as ondansetron, may have limited benefit in CHS, further highlighting the need for individualized management plans.