During this stage, hot showers and baths can help with symptoms. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention, especially if you become dehydrated. A health care provider may diagnose CHS based on reported symptoms, medical history, and by ruling out other causes of nausea and vomiting. The only way to confirm a CHS diagnosis is if symptoms are resolved after stopping cannabis use. Some people with CHS may not be diagnosed for several years or may be misdiagnosed. CHS is often confused with Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome because the symptoms experienced are similar.
Why these moms all used weed while pregnant — despite studies showing serious health risks for their babies

CHS visits had a nearly even sex distribution, with 50.8% female and 49.2% male. To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will ask you about your symptoms and your past chs condition health. They will also do a physical exam, including an exam of your belly. During this phase, the main symptoms are often early morning nausea and belly (abdominal) pain. Some people use more marijuana because they think it will help stop the nausea. To diagnose CHS, a healthcare professional will study your symptoms and ask you questions.

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Researchers have tried to explain what causes CHS, but further study is necessary. The symptoms typically last a few weeks, marijuana addiction though the throwing up should ease up in a day or two. 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. Researchers are currently studying several treatment options to manage the hyperemetic phase of CHS.
CHS in emergency care
- This could make some individuals more prone to developing CHS after long-term cannabis use.
- These supportive treatments can help people during the hyperemesis stage of the condition, but recovery depends on the person stopping their use of marijuana.
- However, with the underlying condition left untreated, CHS can cause serious medical issues.
- Stopping cannabis use is currently the only way to fully cure the condition.
- Anxiety or PTSD-Related Nausea – Stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms often mistaken for CHS.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also incorporated the new code into US diagnostic systems. Hot baths and showers also often help curb symptoms, with many patients driven to bathe for hours each day to soothe their pain. In other cases, patients may be misdiagnosed with CHS when they DO actually have another condition. For instance, one case study describes a patient who was diagnosed with CHS when she actually has a rare and often deadly condition called superior mesenteric artery syndrome. One study found a median time of 8 years from symptoms beginning to diagnosis – with some patients going up to 21 years with symptoms before a CHS diagnosis. Patients in that study went to the ER an average of 22 times for their symptoms before getting a diagnosis.
- Read real stories from people using cannabis for medical conditions.
- However, it is best to consult with your doctor first before introducing CBD.
- Living in Canada, I benefitted from prompt access to Covid vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer.
But there are some other treatments that may help manage your symptoms and make you feel better. Research on CHS is limited and the causes of CHS are not fully understood. However, some studies suggest that using cannabis often and over a long period of time may increase the risk of developing CHS. Since only a small portion of frequent cannabis consumers appear to develop CHS, it’s possible that genetics may play a role.
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Unfortunately, his conclusion is based on anecdotal reports and his own informal polling of his colleagues — not any hard data or statistics. Modern companies have “turned out inconspicuous vape pens, fast-acting edibles and pre-rolled joints infused with potency enhancers and concentrates” that contain as much as 99% THC. With these new products, hospitals saw influxes of CHS, and researchers called for more public health guidance and education for providers. After stopping cannabis use, improvement typically begins within days. Full recovery can take weeks, and for some, a few months may be needed to feel completely better.
Risk Factors for Developing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Some receptors may become more active, while others can shut down. CB1 receptors are mostly present in the brain, but they also occur in other organs. Research suggests that CB1 receptors regulate the effects of marijuana on the gastrointestinal tract. Scientists do not know much about the function of the CB2 receptors. As CHS is a newly described condition, many doctors may find it challenging to diagnose and treat.
Treatment for CHS
While more people are becoming aware of the condition, there are several factors that can delay diagnosis and treatment. For one thing, it is often misdiagnosed as other conditions, delaying treatment and recommendations for cannabis abstinence. This can be a costly process, with one study suggesting costs as high $95,000 in 2012 to go through all the medical visits and testing that happened prior to the diagnosis. The official recognition of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome by global health authorities is more than a new code in a manual. It is an acknowledgment that, in an era of potent, normalized cannabis, there is a real and rising https://ecosoberhouse.com/ cost for a subset of users—a cost paid in IV lines, hospital beds, missed work, and, sometimes, organ damage.


