Similarly, little is known of the demographics and cannabis use patterns of those who develop CHS. The number of CHS cases globally appears to have risen following liberalisation of cannabis regulation and access in some countries, underscoring the need for wider recognition of CHS in emergency care and by the wider public. In clinical practice CHS is most often confused with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). In fact patients with CHS are often mislabeled as marijuana addiction having CVS and vice versa. Confusion exists in the medical literature secondary to a failure to recognize chronic marijuana use as a source of vomiting. For example, in two recently published series of adult patients with CVS, approximately one third of patients reported daily marijuana use 65,66.
3. Recovery Phase
From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you. 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. In one small study of eight patients hospitalized with CHS, four of the five who stopped using weed recovered from CHS. One of the 4 who recovered went back to using marijuana and the vomiting resumed.
- In fact patients with CHS are often mislabeled as having CVS and vice versa.
- The fundamental and definitive treatment for CHS involves ceasing cannabis consumption.
- Most people who quit using cannabis experience no more CHS symptoms within 10 days, but sometimes it may take weeks or months for symptoms to stop.
- After about years of chronic marijuana use, patients begin to have a strong feeling of sickness, throwing up, and belly pain.
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Let your doctor know how much marijuana you use and how often you use it. It’s a serious medical problem that can cause major health issues if you chs symptoms and signs leave it untreated. If you have any symptoms of severe dehydration, like dizziness, confusion and a rapid heartbeat, call 911 right away. Along with the discovery of the CB1 and CB2 receptors has been the identification of endogenous arachidonic acid derivatives that bind to these receptors (Figure 1).
How soon after cannabis hyperemesis syndrome treatment will I feel better?
If you have CHS and don’t stop using, your symptoms like nausea and vomiting are likely to come back. Although it was considered to be rare, the number of cases has increased with the legalization of marijuana in many places and the opening of retail stores to easily get it. This has increased both the number of people using the drug and the “high” in the available weed. The two major metabolites found in humans are 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC- Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) 20. 11-OH-COOH is a psychotropic metabolite that is equipotent to THC in terms of producing psychic effects and lowering intraocular pressure 25. THC-COOH, in contrast, is a non-psychotropic metabolite that possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties 26.
- A large reservoir of stored THC in fat tissue may produce a “reintoxication effect” secondary to increased lipolysis during times of increased stress or food deprivation 23.
- People who use marijuana long-term — typically for about 10 to 12 years — are at risk of developing CHS.
- But not every person who uses marijuana, even long-term use, develops CHS.
- Receptor activation leads to inhibitory effects on the release of growth hormone, thyroid hormone, prolactin, and luteinizing hormone 38.
- As CHS is a relatively recently recognized and studied phenomenon easily confused with other diseases, there is a paucity of sizeable randomized control studies.
CHS should be considered as a plausible diagnosis in the setting of patients with recurrent intractable vomiting and strong history of cannabis abuse. Despite the well-established anti-emetic properties of marijuana, there is increasing evidence of its paradoxical effects on the gastrointestinal tract and CNS. Further initiatives are needed to determine this disease prevalence and its other epidemiological characteristics, natural history, and pathophysiology.
- People with CHS often find temporary relief from these symptoms by taking hot baths and showers.
- A greater understanding of the natural course of the syndrome and response to marijuana cessation may be gained with longer lengths of follow-up.
- In the gastrointestinal system, CB2 receptors are expressed by lamina propria plasma cells and activated macrophages, as well as by the myenteric and submucosal plexus ganglia in human ileum 9,12,13.
- For supportive care, a clinician should work together with the pharmacist to see if any medications could contribute to the patient’s presentation.
Recovery Phase
Or they might think it’s something else, since repeated throwing up is a sign of many health problems. You may need to see a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in the digestive tract, for a proper diagnosis. If you have symptoms, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask for your detailed medical history.