Compulsive showering and marijuana use the cannabis hyperemisis syndrome

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. Moreover, cannabis legalization chs syndrome has introduced higher-potency products to the market, which may be a significant factor contributing to the rising incidence of CHS. Studies focused on individuals diagnosed with CHS, as well as those with comparable conditions like CVS, were selected.

Patient consent for publication

CHS is a condition caused by chronic and repeated cannabis use that leads to severe nausea and vomiting. Symptoms of CHS can resemble those of other conditions, such as cyclic vomiting syndrome. Recent studies have explored the potential use of biomarkers in diagnosing CHS. For example, elevated serum cannabinoid levels or certain patterns of urinary metabolites could help confirm chronic cannabis use, though further research is needed to validate these approaches. Additionally, genetic research is ongoing to identify potential genetic markers that may predispose individuals to CHS, which could contribute to a more precise diagnosis. Until the past decade, marijuana, specifically THC, had been largely illegal to possess and use, and its legalization has prompted new medical insights into its effects, both positive and negative.

Short & Long-Term Effects of Gabapentin

Marijuana cessation was recommended to all patients, but there was no long-term follow-up. Benzodiazepines have been shown to be effective in managing acute symptoms of CHS, particularly for their rapid-acting anti-emetic and anxiolytic properties. These medications exert their effects by inhibiting the medullary and vestibular nuclei in the brain, which play a key role in nausea and vomiting regulation. In emergency settings, benzodiazepines have demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing acute symptoms, providing symptomatic relief when conventional anti-emetics fail. However, their use is approached with caution due to the risk of dependence, especially in patients with a history of substance use. This concern is particularly pronounced in individuals already experiencing sequelae of recreational drug use, necessitating careful patient selection and monitoring when considering benzodiazepines as part of CHS management 43.

• The symptoms of CHS can mimic those of other conditions like cyclic vomiting syndrome, gastroenteritis, or even certain chronic illnesses.
• Symptoms are most common in early middle-aged adults who have consistently been using cannabis since adolescence.
• There were 5 men and 5 women included, mean age 27 years (range 19–51 years) with symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and hyperemesis refractory to medical therapy.
• It is mainly utilized for treating agitated patients and causes sedative effects at doses of 2 to 10 mg intravenously, with a maximum daily dosage of 30 mg 76.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) was without any significant ST or T wave changes ruling out acute coronary artery syndrome.
• Typically, patients can only find relief from intense and persistent nausea by taking hot baths or showers.

Clinical Features

The average length of time between the onset of symptoms and a CHS diagnosis was 6.1 years (range 1–10 years) and patients visited the ED at average of 10 times before diagnosis was made. All patients found relief in hot showers and all were described as “uncooperative” with a CHS diagnosis. Upon being hospitalized, 100% of patients had complete resolution of all symptoms an average of 3.6 days after discontinuation of marijuana (range 2–5 days).

What are the possible complications of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

• The literature contains a wealth of case studies and case reports on patients suffering from CHS; these case reports come from around the world but have striking similarities.
• Many cases of CHS are likely misdiagnosed or not medically treated at all.
• Chemical residues on the plant can transfer to mainstream smoke with up to 60 or 70% inhaled via unfiltered glass pipes 68.
• Though there is not any direct evidence, avoidance of narcotic pain medication may be useful due to the possibility of worsening symptoms and creating dependence.

This can help you avoid more severe problems as your body is robbed of food and water from constant vomiting. While symptoms begin as mild, they can intensify and increase your risk of severe problems. As a somewhat new problem, CHS is often mistaken for other problems with the same symptoms. When combined with the fact that people may not reveal they use cannabis, getting the right diagnosis can take years. After stopping cannabis use, symptoms typically start to disappear within one to two days though individual results can vary. In one study of frequent cannabis users with potential CHS symptoms, 33% of participants met the definition of CHS.

Drug Addiction Therapies

“No kid could use continuously throughout the day and also be doing anything else, because they would have been smoking a joint before,” she said. The FDA has approved lutetium Lu 177 dotatate for pediatric patients with somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Adolescents with CHS and cannabis use disorder (CUD) benefit from a combination of pharmacologic treatment, behavioral interventions, and family support.

How soon after cannabis hyperemesis syndrome treatment will I feel better?

• Discontinuation of cannabis use in any form is required for complete long-term management of CHS.
• Additionally, not all cannabis users develop CHS, causing further difficulty in describing the syndrome.
• The onset of CHS tends to affect people “after years of using marijuana many times a week,” per the American College of Gastroenterology.
• In all 4 cases, CHS was diagnosed, and patients were counseled to avoid cannabis in the future.
• The frequency and prevalence of CHS change in accordance with the doses of tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids in various formulations of cannabis.

Without more research, there is no definitive answer, but doctors have linked the increase in CHS cases to widespread legalization, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ along with higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in modern marijuana. The commercial industry that blossomed after legalization “touted its products as beneficial” while focusing on “engineering a quicker, more intense high,” the Times said. Feeling nauseated also kills your appetite, and it’s easy to become dehydrated.

• These diagnostic criteria can aid clinical pharmacists in the evaluation of patients presenting with cyclic vomiting with no obvious organic cause and a history of repeated ED visits for the same condition.
• Scientists are investigating drugs that interact with the endocannabinoid system in different ways, hoping to find something that can prevent or treat CHS without requiring complete cannabis cessation.
• Further research, particularly at the microscopic level, is essential to better understand this condition.
• The underlying mechanism of the cannabis-induced biphasic effect related to emesis is not clearly understood, but the literature supports the role of the brainstem and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis.

Despite these established characteristics, there is no definitive guideline on how many criteria are required for diagnosis. CHS episodes generally last a few days but can persist for up to seven to 10 days. Patients may report that hot water alleviates symptoms, causing some to spend several hours in the Drug rehabilitation shower 11. The general consensus among studies from states that have legalized marijuana is that cases of CHS presenting at hospitals have doubled post-legalization.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Causes

The patient had been relatively symptom-free over the course of the two years until recently when she started experiencing severe epigastric pain with retching and nausea. She was then given pantoprazole and was discharged to follow up as an outpatient. The patient returned to the emergency department a few days later with similar epigastric pain with nausea and vomiting. Electrocardiogram (EKG) was without any significant ST or T wave changes ruling out acute coronary artery syndrome. CT scan abdomen and pelvis was performed and was negative for any acute pathology.

This variance suggests that a range of elements, including individual biology, metabolism, and genetics, can play a role. 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. An even more troubling piece of the puzzle is that many people who feel nauseated due to CHS may try to use more marijuana to alleviate their symptoms, not realizing they’re only making the problem worse.