The patient provided verbal informed consent for the publication of this case report. The family history was noncontributory for gastro intestinal disease or illness. His father had diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia, most people have a pleasant experience with the psychoactive drug. Cannabinoids can have adverse effects particularly in children if high doses are consumed which result in CNS depression and a coma lasting up to 36 hours. Because he had died at home, detectives had to investigate his death, and the coroner prepared a report.
Products and services
The studies included focused on individuals diagnosed with CHS, as well as those with comparable conditions such as CVS, and chronic cannabis users exhibiting symptoms similar to CHS. A key focus was on studies that included detailed demographic information such as age, gender, and cannabis usage patterns, as what is Oxford House well as data regarding co-morbidities, substance use history, and prior treatments. In the early phase of CHS, the individual may experience more subtle abdominal pain and nausea, especially in the morning. The condition seems to intensify over the course of months or years, and symptoms may escalate to more debilitating nausea, episodic vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, and dehydration. One hallmark characteristic of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is the alleviation of these acute symptoms with hot baths or showers. There is an association between CHS and long-term cannabis usage which completely ceased with cannabis discontinuation 9.
Can addiction treatment help with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
Gastric decompression was continued through a nasogastric tube until appropriate weight gain was achieved and the blockage was relieved, which allowed for discontinuation once oral intake could be tolerated. The patient was recommended for surgical consultation if improvement did not occur, but additional medical action was not pursued at this time. However, 1 week earlier, the results of urine drug screening had been negative for THC, amphetamines, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, fentanyl, methadone, and oxycodone. He reported that his last use of opioids was 2 months prior, which was consistent with staff observations and all prior urine drug screening results; this ruled out opioid withdrawal as the cause of his symptoms.
Acute Care Hospitals
The general consensus among studies from states that have legalized marijuana is that cases of CHS presenting at hospitals have doubled post-legalization. However, the true prevalence is likely underestimated due to misdiagnosis and limited awareness among healthcare providers. While it is possible that legalization has made patients more willing to seek emergency care, the burden of managing these cases ultimately falls on healthcare providers.
Care at Cleveland Clinic
- While several treatments provide symptom relief, it is important to be cautious with certain medications.
- However, it is essential healthcare providers also address the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, as these conditions are common in CHS patients and may lead to acute renal failure 27,35.
- Opioids may exacerbate CHS symptoms due to their association with bowel dysfunction, and they could also potentially lead to opioid dependence in chronic users 47.
- Standardized guidelines would help healthcare providers identify CHS more efficiently and reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis.
CHS has also been implicated in a case report of a 6-year-old epileptic patient on Epidiolex®, a pharmaceutical with 98% pure CBD, and only traces of THC after its removal by partial centrifugal chromatography (Katz et al., 2023). However, this example is highly questionable, since THC exposure was extremely low, the patient was on a ketogenic diet with polypharmacy, and emesis episodes were only of 1–2-day duration five times in 6 months and recurred once after discontinuation of Epidiolex. Some people within the cannabis industry believe that CHS is irrelevant since it does not occur in very many people. Proponents of marijuana use and legalization might think that reports of CHS by medical professionals are suspicious or are an attempt to discourage marijuana use. One cannabis consultant stated that many people in the cannabis industry believeCHS is a made-up illness, or at the very least, a condition that is very misunderstood.
- Tests revealed his kidneys were failing and many of his other lab values were abnormal.
- The overlap in symptoms between CHS and SMA syndrome, especially in a patient previously diagnosed with CHS, can lead to diagnostic delays, which necessitates greater awareness and education for both health care professionals and patients.
- Still, one can only spend so much time in a hot shower, and doing so could lead to further dehydration for those who already have been vomiting.
- For patients with cancer, drug-drug interactions between chemotherapy agents may contribute to nausea and vomiting, which was possibly observed in the patient’s case.
She says she wouldn’t want to discourage anybody from smoking weed; she just wants people to know heavy use can bring them some serious misery. There is no blood test to link the stomach ailment with marijuana use, so physicians often order pricey CT scans and lab tests to rule out other medical problems. But in California and Colorado, which have loosened marijuana laws in recent years, some emergency physicians say they’re seeing it more often. Queen is back to a healthy weight and hasn’t been to the hospital in a year. She said she wouldn’t want to discourage anybody from smoking weed; she just wants people to know heavy use can bring them some serious misery.
What are the risk factors for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
Mr Smith agreed to give up marijuana for 45 days, but when the symptoms did not stop, he got annoyed and began smoking again. Some doctors believe CHS is due to overstimulation of the endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors in the body that respond to compounds in cannabis. However, in the digestive tract, marijuana has the opposite effect and makes nausea and vomiting more likely to occur.
Prevalence and diagnosis of CHS
Although laboratory examinations and advanced imaging studies (e.g., CT scans, ultrasounds) are often negative, they play a crucial role in ruling out other conditions. The lack of significant diagnostic findings in CHS patients underscores the importance of a thorough patient history and clinical suspicion. Despite negative workups, physicians must consider CHS when standard treatments fail and patients continue to present with persistent symptoms related to cannabis use. Seeking professional help from an addiction treatment center is essential for those who suffer from Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), particularly because of the deep connection between CHS and chronic marijuana use. Although some individuals may attempt to quit on their own, addiction treatment centers offer comprehensive care and https://interpromote.com/7-best-detox-alcohol-and-drug-rehab-centers-in/ support that greatly increase the likelihood of long-term recovery and symptom relief.
Walk-In Care
Some practitioners have used common anti-vomiting medications, although they do not seem to be effective. Sedatives like benzodiazepines or antipsychotic drugs appear to provide some benefit in treating the major symptoms of CHS. For years, marijuana has been used recreationally and medically to treat chronic pain and nausea, but for some, it causes the opposite, which is why the condition is sometimes misdiagnosed. If you need help quitting, speak how long does it take to recover from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome to a healthcare provider or connect with your local addiction treatment services. Over the last decade, Carlini and her colleagues have compiled extensive research on the increasing dangers of high-potency cannabis products, and delivered reports to state lawmakers, often funded by the state.