Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome CHS: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

One doctor reported using injectable lorazepam to help control heroin addiction nausea and vomiting symptoms in an adult. Within 10 minutes, nausea and vomiting stopped, and the person no longer felt abdominal pain. CHS is also underdiagnosed because people sometimes use marijuana to suppress nausea and vomiting. Doctors currently lack knowledge of the condition, and there are no clinical guidelines for its treatment and management.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

But not every person who uses marijuana, even long-term use, develops CHS. 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 several years after the start of chronic marijuana use.

Complications

“It may be that the cannabinoid is only sort of one aspect of the way the patient is hurting that needs to be addressed to really get them to heal,” he said. A doctor confirmed that Brittany’s years of cannabis use had manifested in CHS. What was causing this intense stomach pain, Brittany wondered as she rode in an ambulance one late night in February. Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you.

• If you have cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), the best treatment is to stop using weed, even if you’ve been doing it for years with no previous side effects.
• The only known treatment to permanently get rid of CHS is to stop cannabis use completely.
• No clinical guidelines exist, so they must rely on published case reports to treat people with CHS.
• The only treatment known to cure CHS is to stop using cannabis and not resume its use.
• Not everyone with the condition seeks medical help or tells their provider that they use marijuana.

When should I go to the ER for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

People in the hyperemetic phase can take up to 12 hot showers or baths during the day to relieve symptoms. The hot temperatures may provide some relief as they affect your hypothalamus, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the part of your brain that regulates both vomiting and your internal body temperature. Patients are often diagnosed with the syndrome based on the way they treat their own symptoms. Typically, patients can only find relief from intense and persistent nausea by taking hot baths or showers. 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.

• CHS is also underdiagnosed because people sometimes use marijuana to suppress nausea and vomiting.
• If you’re interested, reach out to a mental health professional like a licensed psychologist or therapist.
• It’s not clear what percentage of all heavy marijuana users have experienced CHS.
• The hot temperature affects a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which regulates temperature and throwing up.
• Smoking extra marijuana won’t help your nausea but will make it worse.

What is CHS and who is at risk?

• After stopping cannabis use, symptoms typically start to disappear within one to two days though individual results can vary.
• Since 2004, doctors have identified key symptoms and characteristics of the condition that can help speed up diagnosis.
• This can help you avoid more severe problems as your body is robbed of food and water from constant vomiting.
• It’s important to be honest about your marijuana use if you have symptoms of CHS.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) what is chs is a condition that you might get if you’ve regularly smoked weed or used marijuana in some other form for a long time. CHS causes you to have repeated episodes of vomiting, severe nausea, stomach pain, and dehydration. You’re more likely to get CHS if you use marijuana at least once a week and have been doing so since you were a teenager. “Cannabinoid” refers to cannabis (marijuana) and “hyperemesis” is a word meaning “prolonged vomiting.” It is important for people with CHS to stop using marijuana because this will resolve their nausea and vomiting. Preventing dehydration and stopping nausea and vomiting are the treatment goals during the hyperemesis stage of the condition.

The first reports came from doctors treating regular users of marijuana for nausea and vomiting in South Australia. Contact your healthcare provider if you suspect you have CHS. This can help you avoid more severe problems as your body is robbed of food and water from constant vomiting. Compulsive hot showering or bathing may be critical in distinguishing CHS from CVS and other conditions with similar symptoms.

Doctors often treat CHS patients who seek help at hospitals with fluids. The only known treatment to permanently get rid of CHS is to stop cannabis use completely. You may have symptoms and side effects of CHS for a few weeks after quitting cannabis.