Additionally, the timing of coffee consumption may be relevant, with some individuals experiencing worse symptoms if they drink coffee on an empty stomach. Coffee is another common beverage that has been linked to CHS symptoms. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant known to affect the nervous system and potentially exacerbate nausea. Moreover, coffee also contains other compounds that may interact with the endocannabinoid system.
How does diet affect symptom relief in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
However, these changes also come with substantial risks regarding its adverse effects, such as paradoxical hyperemesis, intoxication and behavioral changes (anxiety, panic how long does it take to recover from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome attacks, and psychoactive changes). Approximately 9% of individuals who use cannabis report dependence at some point in their use 5. Cannabis can paradoxically act as an antiemetic during acute ingestion at low doses, whereas persistent high-dose ingestion could result in vomiting, a behavior similar to cyclical vomiting 6. It is unclear whether the increased legalization of cannabis has also contributed to these findings, but this certainly could be a possibility. Hence, raising the awareness of CHS with an understanding of its pathophysiology and the potential role of therapeutic agents is paramount. Frequent vomiting due to CHS may cause the erosion of tooth enamel, potentially leading to tooth loss 16.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: Care instructions
Instead, healthcare providers rely on a detailed medical history, physical symptoms, and behavioral patterns to make the diagnosis. If you’re a frequent cannabis user and present with cyclical vomiting, dehydration, and abdominal pain , particularly if you’ve visited the ER multiple times with similar symptoms, CHS may be suspected. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition that affects some long-term, high-frequency cannabis users, causing recurring nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain . It’s paradoxical because THC is known to reduce nausea in most cases, yet in CHS, prolonged exposure appears to disrupt the https://indetec-hn.com/whats-the-deal-with-wine-sneezes-wine-spirits-wine/ body’s endocannabinoid system—leading to worsening symptoms over time. A key sign of CHS is compulsive hot bathing , which temporarily relieves symptoms.
The symptoms of CHS can be assessed by the effectiveness of interventions in a hospital setting. The correlation between VAS and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for scaling nausea severity among emergency department (ED) patients was determined 31. The results showed a high correlation between both NRS and VAS, which identified the severity of nausea on a scale from none, mild, moderate, to severe 31. When symptom relief was underway, this scale was a valid Halfway house reflection of how the patient was feeling, thus providing further insights into diagnostic procedures. Although cannabis has historically been used to manage diarrhea, it can be an adverse effect, especially with high-dose or prolonged use. A systematic review of adverse events in medical cannabis users reported that gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea and vomiting, were common complaints.
In the end, while CHS can be a challenging and frustrating condition, there is hope. With proper diagnosis, effective treatment, and ongoing research, we’re getting better at managing CHS every day. It’s like solving a complex puzzle – piece by piece, we’re putting together a clearer picture of how to help those affected by this perplexing syndrome. If you’re struggling with CHS or think you might have it, don’t go it alone. Reach out to healthcare professionals who can provide the support and treatment you need. It’s like trying to assemble IKEA furniture – sure, you could probably figure it out on your own eventually, but having an expert on hand makes the process so much easier and less frustrating.
Care at Cleveland Clinic
One distinctive feature of CHS cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is the compulsive need to take hot showers or baths. Many sufferers report temporary relief from their symptoms when exposed to heat—a phenomenon sometimes referred to as scromiting, where screaming meets vomiting due to extreme discomfort 7. Upon return to the treatment centre, ginger (20-mg tablets; 1 or 2 tablets PO q4h PRN) was trialled for several days for treatment of nausea, without effect. Acetaminophen 1000 mg PO q6h PRN for pain did not relieve the patient’s stomach cramps. He achieved symptomatic relief by using a heating pad on his abdomen throughout the day and experienced about 20 min of relief by showering with hot water, which he did 3 to 12 times daily.
Learn what to expect in the first days, weeks, and months, plus factors that influence healing speed and practical tips to support your recovery journey. Learn how to identify and manage CHS trigger foods, understand the science behind dietary impacts, and discover proven strategies for symptom relief. CHS is not known to many physicians as it is a newly recognized disease. Most of them might diagnose CHS as cyclical vomiting disorder, which has the same symptoms as that of CHS. Hence, a history of prolonged marijuana use must be told to the doctor for them to be able to confirm (or rule out) CHS. According to the nationally representative Monitoring the Future, over half of high school seniors had used marijuana in the past 12 months in the 1970s, but use patterns are now considerably lower, although still common.
Fuller also shared her support of more statewide regulation, expressing concern that other patients may fall victim to the same marketing she did. Ring said this is causing patients to buy products with ingredients and potencies they aren’t fully aware of. Anti-nausea medications can also be prescribed, though Ring notes are not effective, and exactly why remains a mystery.
- This highlights the role of non-cannabis related trigger foods and how they contribute to the symptoms.
- For patients and healthcare providers alike, awareness of CHS is essential.
- CHS is a diagnosis of exclusion , often confirmed when other causes are ruled out and symptoms resolve after stopping cannabis.
- The retrospective cohort conducted by Yusuf et al. 25 had a moderate bias in selecting patients in the ED, as there was selective reporting of patient outcomes, as only the LOS in the ED was measured.
- Nutritional counseling and dietary adjustments can also play a role in managing CHS.
Institutional Review Board Statement
It’s celebrated for its medical benefits, including pain relief, improved sleep, and reduced nausea. Our patient had a history of diabetes with an HbA1c at goal and a normal nuclear medicine gastric-emptying study (6% retention at 4 hours). He was also on liraglutide, but his symptoms predated this medicine use. A total of 41 peer-reviewed articles were identified through this process.
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- A systematic review of case reports found that 96.8% of patients who stopped using cannabis experienced complete resolution of symptoms 8.
- The patient expressed much frustration with the situation, and although he admitted to being aware that cannabis was the source of his symptoms, he continued to deny any recent usage.
- Not every heavy cannabis user develops CHS, suggesting that certain people may be more biologically predisposed to this reaction than others.
- Living with CHS can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life.
There is also another theory, which says that CHS syndrome is the outcome of the overstimulation of the receptors present in the endocannabinoid system. Based on published case reports of CHS, lorazepam could be considered as an agent of choice in the management of the acute hyperemetic phase of CHS to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting (Table 1). The role of lorazepam and its optimal dosing requires further clinical evaluation.
When plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) are introduced, they interact with these receptors, altering normal digestive signaling. Your health care team will quickly work to fix any dehydration or electrolyte problems. It often only happens in people who have regularly used marijuana for several years. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that leads to repeated and severe bouts of vomiting.