In the early years of legalized recreational marijuana in Colorado, young men were most likely to show up in emergency departments with CHS, Heard says. But as marijuana use has become more widespread, patients into their 40s and 50s are arriving with CHS, and with no particular pattern with regard to gender or race. While marijuana legalization has been a driver of CHS cases, the growing social acceptance of cannabis use has helped doctors identify the syndrome more quickly, because patients are more open about their use, Heard says. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia allow recreational marijuana use, and recreational legalization is on the ballot in Florida, South Dakota, and North Dakota in November. In addition, a 2022 U.S. national drug use survey found that more than 4.5 million 18- to 25-year-olds use the drug daily or near daily, with 81% meeting the criteria for cannabis-use disorder.
- Initial symptoms are feeling sick to the stomach, belly pain and the feeling like you may throw up.
- In CHS, receptors that bind to the different components of marijuana can become altered.
- Yes, if symptoms like severe dehydration, uncontrollable vomiting, or abdominal pain occur, visiting an Emergency Department is advised for immediate care and symptom management.
- Many people experience temporary relief from their nausea and vomiting when bathing in hot water.
- People with CHS also tend to have a strong urge to take very hot showers or baths.
Diagnosis of CHS
At this time, the only known way to cure CHS is by quitting cannabis. If you need help quitting cannabis, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a 24/7 helpline in English and Spanish. A representative can refer you to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Stopping cannabis use is the only known way to permanently get rid of CHS. Researchers are continuing to examine potential treatment options for CHS.
Can CHS be treated?
It’s still not clear which of the more than 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis Oxford House are responsible for CHS, but it’s thought that CBD could potentially be a contributor. Keep in mind none of these treatments will be effective if you continue using cannabis products. The prodromal phase can last for months, or even years in some cases. Symptoms are most common in early middle-aged adults who have used cannabis regularly since adolescence. A 2017 review of studies found that 97.4 percent of people who developed CHS reported using cannabis at least weekly.
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome? Here’s what to know, and why experts say it’s on the rise
Since these symptoms can cause dehydration, in rare uncontrolled cases it can even lead to death from kidney failure. However, doctors exercise caution when prescribing lorazepam because it is a controlled substance with the potential for abuse and addiction. The use of lorazepam for CHS is also off-label, so a person’s doctor would need to what is chs make them aware of this fact. Results from these case studies suggest that lorazepam might be an effective drug to control symptoms during the hyperemesis stage. Some people with CHS require pain relievers if abdominal pain is present.
- It is important for the affected individuals to provide the complete medical history to the physician, so that CHS can be confirmed and treated at the earliest.
- CHS was reported for the first time in 2004, and since then, an increasing number of cases have been reported.
- In other words, using high-potency THC can lead to schizophrenia even if users don’t have relatives who suffer from the disease.
- Currently, doctors do not have treatment guidelines for the management of CHS.
- Approximately 9% of individuals who use cannabis report dependence at some point in their use 5.
Treatment for CHS
A thorough history, physical examination and directed testing of differential diagnoses may assist in ruling out these diagnoses. The Rome IV criteria provide some objectivity to help with the diagnosis by placing CHS under the heading of functional gut-brain disorders, and consider it as a variant of CVS (Table 2). Venkatesan et al have proposed a new criterion for CHS with the use of clinical features, cannabis use patterns including duration and frequency, and symptoms resolution after at least 6 months of cessation 48. However, questions remain about the dosage of cannabis, individual and genetic susceptibility, abstinence period and the inclusion of abdominal pain as a criterion.
Wilbert said taking hot showers and staying hydrated can alleviate some of the symptoms. The Maryland Department of Health launched a public health data dashboard as a new tool to track the effects of cannabis use. BALTIMORE — An illness linked to chronic marijuana use is sending people to emergency rooms as cannabis legalization continues to spread across the country. Recognizing the risks of developing CHS can empower marijuana users to take preventative actions, such as reducing or ceasing their marijuana use if they experience any signs of the condition. However, CHS can only be completely suppressed if marijuana use is stopped.