In the first phase of CHS (the prodromal phase), you don’t vomit. Some people who use marijuana heavily get CHS while others don’t. Researchers aren’t sure exactly why weed causes CHS symptoms only in some people. As the laws regarding the possession and use of marijuana change, CHS may become more prevalent because more people will have legal access to the drug. As CHS is a new diagnosis, the manufacturers of what is alcoholism these drugs did not design them for treating CHS, but a doctor may opt to prescribe them for this use.

How To Prevent Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?

In one study of frequent cannabis users with potential CHS symptoms, 33% of participants met the definition of CHS. When expanded to the general U.S. population, research indicates that about 2.75 million Americans annually may experience CHS. Hot baths may relieve the nausea for a while, but they don’t cure CHS.

Food Recommendations while in the Hyperemetic phase:

It’s a serious medical problem that can cause major health issues if you leave it untreated. If you have any symptoms of severe dehydration, like dizziness, confusion and a rapid heartbeat, call 911 right away. CHS is a newly identified condition, so doctors currently know little about it. No clinical guidelines exist, so they must rely on published case reports to treat people with CHS. The only treatments available to people with CHS are those that restore hydration and help control nausea and vomiting. As people with CHS often only consult their doctors during the hyperemesis stage, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the treatment of people during the prodromal stage.

Recovery Stage

Researchers need to study CHS in more detail to make it easier for doctors to recognize and treat the condition. Further studies are also necessary to determine the causes of CHS and its risk factors. However, doctors exercise caution when prescribing lorazepam because it is a controlled substance with the potential for abuse and addiction.

The main reason for that is that the patient does not report and mention their use of cannabis. Various health issues can cause repeated vomiting, and what needs to be pointed out is that CHS is a rare condition. The healthcare provider will ask the patient about the symptoms, and it will also ask about past health and issues if there were any.

When a person has the symptoms, especially vomiting, it may cause additional issues such as dehydration. In addition, if the condition is not treated, some other complications may arise, such as weakness, muscle spasms, shock, to name a few. In the most severe cases, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome can lead to kidney failure that can cause death. The first is called the prodromal phase, the second is hyperemetic, and the third is the recovery phase. In most cases, it occurs in people who use marijuana for years (usually 1-5), a few times per day (3-5 times).

• “Greening out” refers to acute THC overdose and differs from CHS.
• As the laws regarding the possession and use of marijuana change, CHS may become more prevalent because more people will have legal access to the drug.
• 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.
• One 2018 study found that 32.9% of self-reported frequent marijuana users who’d gone to the emergency room (ER) had symptoms of CHS.

Where Do You Get A Diagnosis And Seek Treatment For Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?

Smoking extra marijuana won’t help your nausea but will make it worse. The causes of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome are not exactly known. One running theory is that cannabis changes how molecules in the digestive tract respond, as cannabinoid receptors are present in the digestive tract as well and are affected by cannabis use.

Further research is required to investigate the gastrointestinal physiology in these patients during both the acute attacks of hyperemesis and between episodes. Patients with CHS usually remain misdiagnosed for a considerable time period. 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. Not surprisingly, the early identification of patients with CHS leads to a reduction in morbidity and costs 6. The initial approach to evaluate a patient with cyclical vomiting should start by excluding these vast disorders. In this context a comprehensive history along with initial screening tests should be performed to exclude acute conditions and emergencies (e.g pancreatobiliary disease, intestinal obstruction, pregnancy, etc).