CHS is a condition that involves cyclic nausea and vomiting in people who generally have a long history of cannabis use. When a person experiences CHS, they may need timely and effective treatment to prevent health complications. This article covers the symptoms to look out for and methods for diagnosis. The hyperemesis stage is the most severe stage, characterized by recurrent episodes of intense nausea and vomiting. These episodes can last for hours or even days and may require hospitalization for hydration and treatment 23.
What can caregivers or loved ones do to help someone with CHS?
An anxious 28-year-old female patient arrives at your emergency department (ED) with severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Her boyfriend says she only gets relief by taking long, hot baths or showers. Her abdomen is being examined, and laboratory values are within normal limits (WNL). Her earlier point-of-care ultrasound, CT scan, and workup were unremarkable.
What are the Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Symptoms?
The typical hospital course included supportive care with antiemetics and IV fluids. The patient’s symptoms typically resolved within 24 to 72 hours of hospitalization. Previous evaluations included additional unremarkable CT imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. The patient also had received 2 esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs), one 2 years prior and the other 5 years prior. On every check during the previous 8 years, the patient’s UDS was positive for THC.
Hyperemesis Phase
Dronabinol (synthetic THC) and nabilone (a CB1 receptor agonist) are two commercially available cannabinoids for the treatment Substance abuse of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting 37. THC accumulates largely within body fat which serves as a long-term storage site for the drug 20,22. This characteristic partially explains its prolonged elimination half-life.
- Management of CHS involves cessation of cannabis use and supportive care, with a focus on hydration and symptomatic relief.
- In one case series the average number of emergency room visits (7.1 ± 4.3) prior to diagnosis and the delay in diagnosis (for up to 9 years) was substantial 62.
- Many only get a correct diagnosis after making multiple emergency room visits for unstoppable vomiting.
- However, these beneficial effects seem to backfire when use becomes too frequent or too heavy.
Prodromal Stage
- Rimonabant, a CB1 antagonist, blocks the appetite stimulating qualities of the cannabinoids in the hypothalamus and has been marketed for the treatment of obesity and metabolic dysfunction 34.
- Heat exposure from hot showers may stimulate the transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) receptors on sensory nerve endings in the skin.
- Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition that can develop in some individuals who use cannabis regularly.
- Anandamide and 2-AG possess similar biochemical structures, but each has a distinct pathway for biosynthesis and degradation.
That’s why a firm commitment to staying away from marijuana is crucial if you want to overcome CHS for good. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome follows a repeating cycle, with three distinct phases that people what are the 3 stages of chs move through while continuing to use marijuana. These phases can last different lengths of time, and not everyone’s experience is identical. Many individuals either avoid seeking medical help or don’t mention their marijuana use during a doctor’s visit. As a result, doctors might misdiagnose them with other conditions.
How can I prevent CHS?
Studies show that about 80% of people with CHS recover when they completely stop using marijuana. On the flip side, if you keep consuming cannabis, the syndrome often returns, and the cycle continues. If you’ve tried to quit weed in the past but found it too difficult, this might be a sign of a deeper marijuana addiction. In that case, seeking a structured detox or addiction treatment program may be vital for lasting health. The recovery phase can last as long as you remain free from cannabis. If you start using again, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ there’s a good chance you’ll cycle back into the prodromal and hyperemetic phases.
