Everything You Need to Know About Hyperemesis
Reports show that marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States for recreational purposes. Besides many individuals considering it as a recreational drug, there are some possible applications of marijuana for medical needs. Several clinical studies reveal that cannabis can effectively treat many symptoms of various health conditions. The studies show that the herb has properties that help in alleviating health complications, including depression, chronic pain, etc.
Many states in the country, including Washington D.C, are legalizing medicinal marijuana use. While many states are joining the list of countries with medical marijuana programs, some have started allowing recreational or adult marijuana use. With recent developments, marijuana is quickly becoming mainstream in the United States.
Unlike opioids and other prescription medications, marijuana use doesn’t cause adverse side effects or lead to addiction. Despite its usefulness and less harm, marijuana may have some mild side effects. Unfortunately, the increase in recreational and medicinal marijuana use has coincided with an increase in the number of patients with the cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) condition.
Before concluding the association between marijuana and CHS, it’ll be wise to understand more details about the disease. So, what is CHS? What are the main causes of the condition?
What is Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?
Experts to CHS as a common condition that results in recurrent vomiting and nausea episodes. Physicians diagnose this condition with severe vomiting and nausea that may last several days or weeks. When the patients vomit more than five times within one hour, physicians advise the medical team to hospitalize the patient for proper monitoring and treatment. Patients with severe vomiting and nausea may suffer severe dehydration. While the patient may show the physical symptoms, investigations, including laboratory tests, don’t relate to or show the presence of the disease.
In some cases, nausea and vomiting may subside after 24-48 hours. However, in some patients, the frequency may last for as long as 7 to 10 days. After the vomiting and nausea phase, a symptom-free duration may last for several days, weeks, and even months. During this disease phase, you may eat and function normally. Nevertheless, when you’re a marijuana user, it’ll be wise to stop consuming marijuana. Using marijuana during this phase increases the risk of the symptoms recurring later or returning sooner.
Despite the severity of the condition, it takes many years or a long duration of chronic marijuana use to trigger CHS symptoms. Experts reveal that constantly getting high for a long duration may affect your interaction with marijuana. After long-term chronic marijuana use, many users have reported changes in the possible ways cannabis influences their brain and other body systems.
What are the Main Causes of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome?
Due to the disease's complex nature and pathogenesis, medical experts have yet to understand the exact cause of CHS in some individuals. Linking the condition to marijuana use is usually puzzling and funny. Studies show that one main use of marijuana is treating vomiting and nausea in most patients. Thus, the association of marijuana with these symptoms leaves many individuals wondering how a substance that treats a condition leads to the same condition. Experts reveal that the puzzle to this answer lies in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
All animals and humans have an endocannabinoid system consisting of CB1 and CB2 receptors. The receptors are very important in the body, as they interact with the chemicals the different parts of the body produce. Furthermore, the ECS receptors interact with the marijuana compounds to enhance the different effects. Researchers reveal that the interaction with marijuana is responsible for nausea or alleviating it and other conditions.
CB1 receptors are abundant in the nervous system, brain, and digestive tract. In contrast, you’ll find most CB2 receptors in the body’s immune system. Several studies show that CB1 receptors are key in detecting the ability of marijuana to cause or treat nausea.
Marijuana has three main compounds, which include cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabigerol (CBG). Studies show that these cannabis compounds might be key in developing and treating CHS. THC works by reacting or interacting with CB1 receptors to reduce nausea and vomiting. In contrast, CBG may react with the same receptors to trigger vomiting. CBD has varying effects, where taking CBD in lower doses helps to relieve nausea while taking too much CBD induces vomiting.
Researchers also reveal that genetics is a key factor in this condition. Reports show that only a small percentage of long-term cannabis users will develop the condition. Lastly, we also have gender disparity issues, as more men are likely to have CHS than women.
What are the Symptoms and Signs of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome?
The CHS pattern follows three phases: prodromal, hyperemesis, and recovery.
Prodromal phase
During this phase, you may have a wide range of symptoms, including frequent nausea and abdominal discomfort. These disturbing symptoms usually come in the morning. You also feel like throwing up, but you can’t do so. The prodromal phase may last several months or years before hyperemesis.
Hyperemesis phase
You may start constantly feeling nauseous. The feeling will trigger vomiting, which occurs several times within an hour. Due to the wholly debilitating nature of this phase, you may suffer dehydration and unexpected weight loss. Studies show that most patients will rush to healthcare centers during this stage, where the medics will hospitalize them for intravenous (IV) supplements/fluids and close monitoring. The hyperemesis phase usually lasts for a few days, though in some individuals, the duration may last for one week or longer.
Recovery Stage
It’s the last phase and offers hope and restoration. During this time, you can start to get your body back to normal, but start to have your meals gradually as you begin to regain your weight. This phase can last for a few days, weeks, or months and the cycle starts again.
Available Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome Treatment
Despite the numerous trials and research, stopping marijuana use remains the only way to recover from this condition completely. However, many individuals find it daunting to stop their regular marijuana use. In some cases, patients try to increase the dosage or consumption after learning that marijuana helps to alleviate nausea and vomiting. Taking more marijuana when having the condition will not help but worsen the problem.
Remember that if you decide to stop using marijuana, it takes 7-10 days for the CHS symptoms to go away. Thus, you’ll require willpower and patience to get the best results and alleviate your symptoms.
Despite stopping marijuana use being the appropriate treatment, we’ve other solutions if you find it hard or are unwilling to stop using marijuana. However, these solutions usually provide short-term relief. Experts reveal that once the complication starts, it’ll be recurring or get severe until you stop using marijuana.
Below are some of the alternative solutions to alleviate hyperemesis
Medication
When having hyperemesis, antiemetics are the common medication physicians prescribe for vomiting and nausea. Antiemetics includes a wide range of drugs or medicine you can use to treat some hyperemesis symptoms. Commonly, the physicians will administer the drugs as an IV drip or by mouth to patients who can’t take anything down their digestive system. The little effects this medication offers give them limited benefits in treating CHS.
Alternatively, you can consider other drugs like benzodiazepines (including diazepam and lorazepam. These drugs could be effective in reducing abdominal pains in the hyperemesis phase. Due to the high dependence and addiction risk, it’ll be good to consider these drugs as short-term options. Importantly, it’ll be good if you stay away from opioid painkillers due to their adverse side effects and addiction risk.
Hot water bathing
Showering or bathing in hot water is a common and effective practice when having this condition. Showering in hot water helps alleviate these symptoms temporarily. The reports show that some patients consider staying in hot water for longer durations to get optimal relief.
Scientific research shows that bathing in hot water helps to trigger transient receptor potential vanilloid receptors (TRPV1). The TRPV1 receptors are responsible for transmitting pain signals and enhancing movement in the digestive system. Remember, exposing these receptors to cannabinoids for long blocks them and prevents their functionality.
The blocking results in nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pains, which are common in CHS. Studies have shown the effectiveness of high temperatures in reversing these effects or symptoms. Thus, showering or bathing in hot water will help alleviate the symptoms of CHS.
However, when opting for hot water to alleviate these symptoms, it’ll be good to take care and avoid scalding your skin. Thus, check the temperatures of the water before dipping yourself in the water. Experts advise that you avoid exposing your skin to prolonged duration in hot water.
Capsaicin cream
Like hot water bathing, the capsaicin cream works in a similar way. Capsaicin is a common chemical abundant in chili peppers, making them have a hot sensation. Manufacturers extract and use it to make a concentrated cream, which you can rub on your skin to alleviate any form of pain.
Most physicians prescribe the cream to help patients with arthritis. Nevertheless, the researchers suggest that the cream has effectively treated or reduced CHS symptoms in a certain study. The scientists applied 0.075% of capsaicin cream during this study on a 15*25 cm skin area. The researchers were applying the cream to the lower abdominal body parts after four hours. At the end of the study, most patients reported complete relief from nausea and abdominal pain after the fourth dose.
Capsaicin cream has a unique functioning mechanism to alleviate the CHS symptoms. The cream causes a burning or warming sensation on your skin. The burning sensation is the main way cream uses to alleviate the symptoms. Despite helping to treat the problem or symptoms, the cream may have some side effects, such as rashes.
It’ll be good to test first by applying the cream on a small part of your skin and observing how it reacts. After applying the cream to your skin, wash your hands with water and soap. Furthermore, avoid your nose, eyes, genitals, and mouth after applying the medication.
Electrolytes
Frequent vomiting that comes with CHS usually leads to severe dehydration. Severe dehydration is dangerous and might lead to various life-threatening complications. Thus, taking appropriate measures to balance your fluid levels will be vital. Mixing rehydration salts with sports drinks or water is the best and most effective way to achieve fluid balance. Ensure that fluids have appropriate levels of electrolytes. It'll be wise to consider taking small and regular sips will help restore your fluid levels.
Visit the nearest healthcare center for help if you find it hard or painful to pass down food or fluid. The medical team will administer IV fluids and other medications that can help alleviate the symptoms.
Wrapping Up on Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome
Studies show that CHS only affects a certain percentage of chronic marijuana users. Despite affecting a few marijuana users, it’s a debilitating condition that may interfere with your routine tasks or activities. Due to its cyclical syndrome nature, the disease has a longer duration of symptom-free phases. These phases alternate with severe vomiting and nausea, which may last several days or weeks.
Stopping marijuana use is the only effective way to reverse the syndrome. However, most patients find it hard to make the bold step to stop taking marijuana. You can consider other short-term fixes, such as using the medication, electrolytes, a hot shower, and capsaicin cream, if stopping marijuana use is a big deal.
Most states have related cannabis laws allowing the residents to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of this herb. With the increase in marijuana use, we are staring at more CHS cases. Thus, regular smokers must understand the symptoms and how to alleviate them.
Visiting a licensed medical marijuana physician will be vital to help you choose the right strain and dosage to prevent the condition from happening. HappyMD has numerous state-approved and marijuana-friendly physicians to provide MMJ recommendations and guidance. The physicians offer you 420 medical marijuana card evaluations and cards online. Schedule with our experienced MMJ doctors to help you get the marijuana products and dose to prevent adverse conditions like hyperemesis.
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