Patients with Cannabis-Related Illness are Presenting More Frequently in Duke Health Emergency Department Duke Health

Some patients scream while they vomit due to the intense belly pain. Certain therapies, such as taking hot showers or using prescription medications, may help relieve symptoms. With the legalization of recreational cannabis in 11 states and Washington, DC, as well as medical legalization in 33 states, a record number of Americans are consuming cannabis. According to a recent amphetamine addiction treatment poll, approximately 34 million American adults use cannabis on a regular basis (at least twice monthly). With this rise in use comes a new set of challenges for healthcare professionals, including an increase in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a poorly understood condition that affects habitual cannabis users.

Tracking effects of cannabis use

Despite its growing prevalence, many doctors are still unfamiliar with the syndrome, which was only recently defined, making it hard to distinguish from medical issues like food poisoning or the stomach flu. For some chronic cannabis users, a case of the munchies is the least of their problems. Neither the psychological treatments nor the pharmacological treatments seem to be that effective,” he said. Rates of cannabis use disorder have spiked in the past 40 to 50 years, D’Souza said, with some studies suggesting between 20 and 30 percent of marijuana users meeting the criteria for the disorder. Camilleri also said that cannabis use is positively correlated with anxiety and depression, and noted that doctors should treat the whole patient and not just the disorder. Ultimately, the only way to guarantee health is by totally abstaining, he added.

Should I go to an Emergency Department to relieve CHS symptoms?

If you are experiencing symptoms of CHS, contact your health care provider. If your symptoms are severe or you think https://ecosoberhouse.com/ you need immediate medical attention, call 911 right away. The most effective treatment for Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is the cessation of marijuana use.

Mindfulness and Meditation in Modern Addiction Treatment

People with CHS also tend to have a strong urge to take very hot showers or baths. That’s because hot water can help ease cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome symptoms like nausea. The hot temperature affects a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which regulates temperature and throwing up. Sometimes, doctors actually recommend cannabis for specific conditions like cancer-related nausea. In small doses, it might indeed help reduce certain stomach problems.

You may have symptoms and side effects of CHS for a few weeks after quitting cannabis. People who use marijuana long-term — typically for about 10 to 12 years — are at risk of developing CHS. But not every person who uses chs illness marijuana, even long-term use, develops CHS. Some people call certain symptoms of CHS “scromiting.” The term combines “vomiting” and “screaming.” You may have intense pain, which causes you to scream while you vomit.

Serotonin syndrome

• Contact your health care provider if you suspect you might have CHS or for information on treatment options for cannabis use disorder.
• On Oct. 1, the World Health Organization formally recognized cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, adding an official diagnosis code to its manual.
• These cases highlight the importance of finding better ways to distinguish CHS from other conditions that manifest in similar ways.
• Stay updated on cannabis research, education, and clinic news from Dr Caplan and the CED Clinic team.
• 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.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) appears in some chronic cannabis users. It presents as repeated nausea and vomiting to the point where it endangers you and your wellbeing. CHS causes recurring nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in regular cannabis users. It’s often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and can lead to years of suffering before the real cause is identified.