However, doctors may find it challenging to diagnose the syndrome because people tend not to report their use of marijuana. They also experience episodes of vomiting that return how long does it take to recover from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome every few weeks or months. At Healing Pines Recovery, we understand that recognizing you need help takes courage. Our team is committed to supporting you through every step of your recovery journey, from managing withdrawal symptoms to building a fulfilling life without marijuana. Marijuana contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which binds to cannabinoid receptors throughout your brain and body. With chronic use, your brain becomes accustomed to having THC present and adjusts its natural chemistry accordingly.
By following these steps and seeking professional medical advice, individuals with CHS can manage their symptoms and work towards a full recovery. If you suspect you have CHS, it’s important to act promptly and consult with healthcare professionals to receive appropriate care. But science hasn’t pinned down an exact formula that says, “X amount of cannabis over Y years always leads to CHS.” Instead, it’s more like a storm of factors that eventually converge. Unfortunately, until doctors uncovered CHS, many patients felt baffled by their symptoms.
Multidisciplinary Care Centers
Definitive diagnosis of CHS requires genetic testing to identify mutations in the LYST gene. This involves analyzing the patient’s DNA, typically through a blood sample, to detect any abnormalities in the gene sequence. In select cases, topical application of capsaicin cream on the abdomen has demonstrated promise in alleviating CHS symptoms. These therapies may offer transient relief but are not comprehensive solutions for CHS symptomatology. With the absence of definitive biomarkers, the diagnostic journey for CHS predominantly revolves around the process of exclusion. Many researchers feel that CHS is underrecognized and underdiagnosed.
Navigating the Intricacies of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Understanding the Unseen Challenges
- Over time, cannabis use changes the way in which the molecules present in the digestive tract respond, leading to CHS.
- The complications from CHS are mainly related to the vomiting episodes.
- The only immediate relief often comes from taking very hot baths or showers.
- The constant nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain make daily activities like work, socializing, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle very challenging.
It’s worth noting that you don’t always need that full 19-year timeline, as some people can develop CHS sooner, especially if they’re using especially potent cannabis or consuming it in large amounts. One doctor reported using injectable lorazepam to help control nausea and vomiting symptoms in an adult. Within 10 https://topnotchdc.com/2021/08/20/addiction-treatment-center-in-williamsburg-va-2/ minutes, nausea and vomiting stopped, and the person no longer felt abdominal pain.
Hyperemetic Phase of CHS –
- Therefore, in case of concerns for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, seeking medical advice or professional help can be very useful.
- People have landed in the hospital with acute kidney failure or needed intensive care after extended vomiting spells.
- 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.
- Raising awareness about hyperemesis cannabis syndrome is vital as cannabis use grows.
Additional research is underway regarding CHS, but the underlying mechanism is complex. It is possible that THC accumulates in the body with frequent, long-term marijuana use, which may be toxic to the gastrointestinal system. There are possible direct effects on the brain and central nervous system, which plays a large role in the normal vomiting processes.
Virtual care
However, the ultimate treatment is patient education and cessation of cannabis use, which may require compassionate counseling and addiction support. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a very unpleasant — and potentially dangerous — complication of long-term marijuana use. Because of this possible complication, it’s important to use caution with marijuana and other cannabis products.
The throwing up can be bad and can cause you to be low on body water. We fix this by giving the water back through the veins and giving drugs to stop the sick feeling and lower the acid in the stomach. Patients with CVS also have times where they are feeling sick to the stomach and can also throw up for between 12 hours to about a week.
Seabrook said a likely reason for increased rates of CHS is the high THC potency of cannabis products today. Ramsey is part of one of them — a CHS Facebook group described as a “safe place to recover and learn” with 3,000 members. On Reddit, the group r/CHSinfo has 20,000 members, with discussions ranging from tips on how to manage episodes and personal anecdotes about repeated hospitalizations.
“Scromiting” is a slang term some people use to describe a CHS symptom where intense pain causes an individual to scream while vomiting. This combination of screaming and vomiting is where the term comes from. The condition is tricky because, in the early stages, a person might not vomit. Instead, they could go for a long period with stomach discomfort and morning nausea without fully realizing what’s going on. People might need to skip work, school, or social activities because they’re too sick to function normally.
Diagnosis of Chediak-Higashi Syndrome
In addition to frequent and severe vomiting, patients may have difficulty eating and drinking, and only find (temporary) relief in hot showers and baths. CHS patients experience recurrent infections due to impaired immune system function. Lysosome dysfunction affects the ability of white blood cells to fight off pathogens effectively, making individuals more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. Heat exposure from hot showers may stimulate the transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) receptors on sensory nerve endings in the skin. This mechanism implies that the analgesic and sensory effects of TRPV1 receptor activation might contribute to the relief experienced during hot showers for CHS patients.
It is not a first-line treatment but is used in life-threatening situations. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare genetic disorder that affects both the immune system and blood clotting. People with WAS have a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to infections. Hyper-IgE syndrome, also known as Job’s syndrome, is a rare immune disorder characterized by high levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and recurrent infections, particularly of the skin and lungs. Individuals with this condition often experience eczema, skin abscesses, and lung infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Skeletal abnormalities, such as scoliosis or joint hypermobility, may also be present.
Cannabis can be both medicine and, in rare cases, the source of illness. Ongoing research and surveillance are needed to fully understand this alcohol rehab syndrome’s mechanisms and to develop more targeted treatments. In the meantime, heightened awareness and recognition of CHS by hospitalists can lead to appropriate therapy, reduced healthcare utilization, and better outcomes for these patients. It’s important to be honest about your marijuana use if you have symptoms of CHS. Without knowing this background, providers often misdiagnose CHS as other conditions, like cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS).