How do you know if you're developing CHS?
What are the symptoms of CHS? The primary symptoms of CHS are intense and persistent nausea and vomiting. People with this condition vomit extensively, often without warning, and can vomit up to five times per hour. They may also experience diffused abdominal pain, often report weight loss, and appear dehydrated.
The prodromal phase is characterized by mild symptoms of CHS, including nausea, anxiety, mild discomfort, sweating, and increased thirst; symptoms are more severe in the morning.
CHS is an episodic syndrome with vomiting episodes that last for 24–48 h at a time separated by asymptomatic periods that may last weeks or months [13].
CHS symptoms often subside within two days, although some effects persist for several weeks.
So, CHS may be mistaken for uremia, as in these 2 patients with chronic kidney disease, hyperemesis gravidarum, bulimia, and cyclical vomiting syndrome.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)
CHS usually starts after years of using marijuana many times a week. Initial symptoms are feeling sick to the stomach, belly pain and the feeling like you may throw up. A lot of people can still eat without throwing up.
The length of time it takes to develop CHS varies; however, most patients present 1 to 5 years after chronic cannabis use. Presentation with symptoms similar to those of CHS prior to 1 year of chronic cannabis use should not preclude diagnosis.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of intractable nausea and vomiting in patients using cannabis daily for years. Patients with CHS benefit compulsively from hot water since it relieves symptoms. The possible mechanism is skin vasodilation.
CHS does not occur in all cannabis users. More research is necessary to understand why some users get CHS and others do not. Some research suggests that there may be a genetic factor, making some people more likely to develop CHS.
CHS patients have a long prodromal phase (up to several years) which is characterised by nausea, abdominal pain, and fear of vomiting while the patients maintain normal eating patterns [2].
What are the 3 stages of CHS?
People with CHS suffer from repeated bouts of vomiting. In between these episodes are times without any symptoms. Healthcare providers often divide these symptoms into 3 stages: the prodromal phase, the hyperemetic phase, and the recovery phase.
It causes severe bouts of vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Certain therapies, such as taking hot showers or using prescription medications, may help relieve symptoms. While symptoms can be managed, the only way to stop CHS for good is to quit using cannabis in any form.
Consider capsaicin cream, benzodiazepines, antiemetics and antipsychotics for treatment of CHS.
The prodromal stage of CHS is characterized by anxiety, severe nausea, and an array of autonomic symptoms, such as, sweating, flushing, and increased thirst, with symptoms being more severe in the morning. The prodromal stage can last for months before any vomiting attacks occur.
There's no specific cure, but CHS is not permanent. The only way to stop CHS symptoms is to completely stop using all marijuana products. After you quit, you may still have symptoms and side effects for a few weeks. But over time, your symptoms will go away.
In times of stress or illness, the stores of THC may be released from fat as it's metabolized by the body, triggering or perpetuating CHS symptoms.
CHS causes abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and the vomiting can result in dehydration. This dehydration can lead to a type of kidney failure that experts refer to as cannabinoid hyperemesis acute renal failure, and in severe cases, it can even result in death.
People with CHS often have severe nausea and vomiting that is hard to control. They may vomit more than 20 times a day and it may last more than 24 hours. Other symptoms of CHS include: stomach pain.
It can take years of cannabis use to develop CHS. A 2011 report published in Current Drug Abuse Reviews noted that “in nearly all cases, there is a delay of several years” from the time marijuana smoking started to when the first CHS symptoms are experienced.
CHS does not occur in all cannabis users. More research is necessary to understand why some users get CHS and others do not. Some research suggests that there may be a genetic factor, making some people more likely to develop CHS.
How do I stop CHS from happening?
The only way to stop CHS and its symptoms is to completely quit using cannabis. 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. Symptoms of CHS likely won't return if you've completely stopped using cannabis.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of intractable nausea and vomiting in patients using cannabis daily for years. Patients with CHS benefit compulsively from hot water since it relieves symptoms. The possible mechanism is skin vasodilation.
There's no specific cure, but CHS is not permanent. The only way to stop CHS symptoms is to completely stop using all marijuana products. After you quit, you may still have symptoms and side effects for a few weeks. But over time, your symptoms will go away.
People with CHS suffer from repeated bouts of vomiting. In between these episodes are times without any symptoms. Healthcare providers often divide these symptoms into 3 stages: the prodromal phase, the hyperemetic phase, and the recovery phase.
The researchers found that 32.9 percent of the participants reported having experienced symptoms of CHS in the past. Using these results, researchers estimated that approximately 2.75 million U.S. adults may deal with CHS each year.