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1, 2, 3, 4  Biallelic loss-of-function variants in LYST give rise to CHS. The prodromal phase is characterized by days, weeks, or months of mild symptoms. Researchers frequently describe them as similar to the “aura” of migraines because they precede an intense worsening of symptoms.

• Because of this possible complication, it’s important to use caution with marijuana and other cannabis products.
• Kahraman and Prieur (1990) succeeded in prenatal diagnosis of the disorder in cats by demonstrating abnormally large lysosomes (stained for acid phosphatase) in cultured amniotic fluid cells.
• Nicki hopes to contribute to the body of knowledge in treating substance use disorders.
• If you or a loved one regularly uses cannabis and experiences unexplained nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, it may be time to consult a gastroenterologist.
• Skeletal abnormalities, such as scoliosis or joint hypermobility, may also be present.
• Every person will have their own experience, but the process typically follows a standard timeline.

Medical Marijuana Resources

Researchers need to study CHS in more detail to make it easier for doctors to recognize and https://ecosoberhouse.com/ treat the condition. Further studies are also necessary to determine the causes of CHS and its risk factors. Since 2004, doctors have identified key symptoms and characteristics of the condition that can help speed up diagnosis.

How is cannabis hyperemesis syndrome treated?

However, because CHS is not always diagnosed correctly, its true prevalence may be underreported. With growing awareness, more people are seeking medical help, which may lead to better recognition and reporting of the condition. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a subtype of cyclic vomiting syndrome, causes repeated nausea and vomiting, with symptoms resolving during the recovery phase after cannabis cessation. In the case of CHS, the prolonged and high-dose use of cannabis can lead to an overstimulation of the cannabinoid receptors in the GI system. This overstimulation disrupts the delicate balance of the GI functions, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The Three Phases of CHS

Continuing to use cannabis despite CHS can lead to potentially life threatening complications. CHS usually leads to early death from infection or, less commonly, hemorrhage. Typically, intractable respiratory and cutaneous infections prove fatal before a child with CHS reaches age 10 years. Longer survival is possible, but the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver become enlarged, and a malignant lymphoma develops.

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): What You Need to Know

For supportive care, a clinician should work together with the pharmacist to see if any medications could contribute to the patient’s presentation. If administering antiemetics, the nursing staff should be familiar with the adverse event profile so they can report any concerns that may arise. Indeed, with any syndrome that results in frequent vomiting, there is a concern for a disorder of electrolytes and fluid balance in the body. Patients who fail to respond to antiemetic therapy are at high risk for dehydration and resulting in nutritional deficiencies. Other known complications of forceful and uncontrolled vomiting include aspiration and subsequent pneumonitis or aspiration pneumonia as well as injury to the esophageal wall such as Boerhaave’s syndrome.

• A representative can refer you to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
• CHS is a newly identified condition, so doctors currently know little about it.
• They’ll also examine your abdomen and may order tests to rule out other causes of vomiting.
• Most patients ultimately require bone marrow transplantation, without which mean survival is only about 3.1 years, death usually resulting from pyogenic infections or hemorrhage (Blume and Wolff, 1972).
• While the symptoms of CHS are often mistakenly attributed to other disorders, early diagnosis and quitting cannabis are crucial for managing the condition.

Learn more about the gene associated with Chediak-Higashi syndrome

Skeletal abnormalities, such as scoliosis or joint hypermobility, may also be present. These infections are often caused by bacteria or fungi and can be recurrent due to underlying immunodeficiency. The skin is the body’s first line of defense against infections, but in CHS, the immune system’s inability to fight off pathogens makes the skin more susceptible. Common skin infections in CHS patients include cellulitis, abscesses, and fungal infections.

CHS is triggered by heavy and chronic exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary intoxicating agent of Cannabis sativa. Patients may experience residual symptoms for an interval of time after they have stopped using Cannabis. It’s important to seek medical help if you or your child experience frequent infections, unexplained fevers, or other symptoms of Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Telemedicine offers a convenient way to consult with healthcare providers from the comfort of your home, allowing for timely diagnosis and management of symptoms. Our primary care telemedicine practice is here to help you navigate your condition and provide the care you need.

A 2016 case study describes two deaths due to complications of CHS. The cause of death in both people was found to be hyponatremic dehydration, also known as low sodium levels. Keep in mind none of these treatments will be effective if you continue using cannabis products. The researchers found that 32.9 percent of the participants reported having experienced symptoms of CHS in the past. But a 2019 study concluded that it potentially accounts for up to 6 percent of emergency room visits for recurrent vomiting.

Along with THC that causes the “high” users experience, cannabis has other active ingredients that bind to molecules in the brain and body. Greening out from smoking too much weed and serotonin syndrome can also cause nausea, although they are both entirely different conditions. If you are experiencing CHS symptoms, the best thing you can do is to stop cannabis use and seek medical care immediately. Dehydration from vomiting can be fatal, so these symptoms should be taken seriously. Importantly, the patient must be a (usually frequent) cannabis user during this time for the CHS diagnosis to fit. Appetite is typically unaffected during this phase, but researchers note that consumers tend to administer more cannabis as a nausea remedy.

A unique feature of the hyperemetic phase is the compulsive use of hot showers or baths, which temporarily alleviate symptoms and serve as a key diagnostic indicator. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a medical condition believed to be connected to what is chs weed heavy, chronic cannabis use. It is characterized by episodes of nausea and vomiting, which may be relieved by hot baths and showers or by discontinuing cannabis use. Very little is known about this condition, including its causes, but researchers hypothesize that an oversaturation of cannabinoid receptors in the body could lead to these complications. Others suspect that certain pesticides used in cannabis cultivation might be the cause.

Although, as medical professionals become more aware of CHS and its consequences, more research will likely be conducted. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you Twelve-step program every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. As the laws regarding the possession and use of marijuana change, CHS may become more prevalent because more people will have legal access to the drug. Doctors have a lack of knowledge of CHS, and this makes it hard to identify people with the condition. People often remain misdiagnosed for years, which delays treatment.

Ongoing studies aim to clarify these connections and improve patient outcomes. If you use cannabis often and frequently experience vomiting and nausea, you should tell a healthcare professional. Cannabinoids, the active compounds found in cannabis, have a profound impact on the gastrointestinal (GI) system.