Since the legalization of marijuana, those familiar (and some unfamiliar) with the herb have taken a trip or two to the dispensary to get a huff of the flower. However, some of the excitement that came with the legalization of marijuana quickly became a real downer. Here’s the reason why...
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome - Ke-na-be-noid hahy-per-em-uh-sis sin-drohm
Just as millions are celebrating the legalization of marijuana in many cities and states across America, a newly discovered condition known as CHS, or Cannabinoid Hyperemeses Syndrome, is now coming to light and experts say cases are growing exponentially. It is thought to affect mostly heavy cannabis users. Why has CHS become a problem in recent years? Studies suggest it might be because marijuana strains produced today are much stronger ever before and now that it is legal, people of all ages are consuming it in record numbers, too.
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Current studies show it is possible that about 2.75 million Americans may suffer from CHS.
What is CHS?
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The recognized hallmarks of the condition are heavy, consistent marijuana use followed by violent vomiting and nausea. Initially believed to be very rare, CHS has increasingly cropped up in medical journals and emergency rooms (ERs) around the world. There is no known cure. The only long-lasting treatment is quitting cannabis completely.
Sufferers seem to share a tendency to use extremely hot baths or showers to find temporary relief. Vomiting can be very severe and leave CHS patients extremely dehydrated. Because cannabis is usually known to help keep nausea and vomiting at bay, some medical marijuana users may mistakenly consume even more cannabis once symptoms of CHS present themselves. This greatly increases the discomfort and possible danger of not knowing you have it.
One reason doctors and researchers say they want more people to know about CHS is that with more states legalizing marijuana, more adults of all ages are now regularly using it in more forms than ever before. What that means is that more cases of it are beginning to crop up and emergency rooms are now seeing more patients seeking relief.
Unfortunately, there are many health professionals still unaware of what it is or the dangers associated with it. Infrequent or short-term use of cannabis typically does not trigger CHS. Prolonged or intense stimulation of the endocannabinoid system (with daily use and/or high potency products) is far more likely to trigger CHS.
Cannabis isn't one drug. It is a plant with hundreds of compounds. Each of them could have a unique effect on our health. We are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what those effects look like because the drug has widely been used illegally for decades, experts say.
Researchers first began describing the symptoms of CHS in the early 2000s, but it was not until recently that doctors in different hospitals around the world began defining it as a unique syndrome. Initially, it was often lumped in with other digestive conditions that share some of its features, such as cyclic vomiting.
Complicating things further, some people initially turn to marijuana to help with their nausea and vomiting. (The federally approved THC-containing drug Marinol is prescribed to treat nausea and vomiting caused by treatments for cancer and AIDS.) One of CHS's most distinctive features is the tendency for patients to use hot baths or showers to temporarily relieve the symptoms. Ironically, other standard remedies for nausea, such as anti-nausea medications, don't work on CHS.
Can CHS be dangerous?
CHS can become dangerous if the patient does not stop consuming cannabis and if the disorder is left untreated. Specifically, CHS becomes dangerous when the primary symptoms of the disease—abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting become so severe, the patient ends up becoming severely dehydrated.
When that happens, the patient can experience a type of kidney failure increasingly known as cannabinoid hyperemesis acute renal failure. In the most extreme cases, death can result. This is why it’s important to immediately contact your physician if you experience symptoms of CHS, and to stop consuming cannabis right away if you feel you have it. In one case,
a 17-year-old in Indiana died after struggling with CHS for more than six months. His mother, said her son was first diagnosed with CHS in an emergency room in spring 2018. On the way to the hospital, he had been vomiting so badly that she had to pull to the side of the road about five times. At the ER, doctors warned her that her son was severely dehydrated and that his kidneys were on the verge of shutting down. He continued to be a heavy user and eventually succumbed to renal failure.
There are 3 Phases of CHS
Prodromal phase
This is the beginning stage of CHS. Many cannabis users will begin to develop abdominal pain and early morning nausea, using more cannabis in an attempt to alleviate symptoms. Vomiting does not occur, even if there is a fear of vomiting. Users continue to eat normally and can take medications orally. The prodromal phase may last for several months or even years before moving to the second stage.
Hyperemetic phase
Ongoing nausea is apparent in the hyperemetic phase while vomiting episodes begin. Abdominal pain, which is present in most cases, continues. Vomiting may be severe enough to warrant seeking medical attention, potentially leading to a correct diagnosis of CHS. Cannabis users in the hyperemetic phase of CHS decrease their food intake, which may cause weight loss and dehydration. Stopping cannabis use stops the hyperemetic phase.
Recovery phase
Once a person experiencing CHS stops using marijuana, their symptoms subside and appetite returns. Symptoms return if he or she attempts to use marijuana again. Certain triggers such as stress, infections, or menstrual periods may also lead users from recovery back to the prodromal phase.
The best way to prevent CHS is to use cannabis in moderation. High doses, frequent use, and high-potency THC products are the biggest risk factors for developing CHS.
