With more states legalizing cannabis, more people are trying to understand whether it is suitable for them. People have reasons for using or not using cannabis, but many do not understand Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome. This is a newly discovered condition brought on by regularly using cannabis for a long time, whether it is for recreational or medical purposes.
If you want to get marijuana from a medical dispensary, you can get Oklahoma Marijuana Card Online. For you to grasp what Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome is, you will have to learn more about it.
Symptoms Of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome
How do you know if you have Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)? If you have CHS, the chances are high that you will have repeating bouts of vomiting. However, in between such times, you are not going to experience any symptoms. Doctors have divided the symptoms into three stages; the prodromal phase, the hyperemetic phase, and the recovery phase.
In the prodromal stage, you can experience early morning nausea and abdominal pain or develop a fear of vomiting. Nausea will still be there in the hyperemic stage, followed by stomach pain, repeated episodes of vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss due to decreased food intake. In the recovery phase, there are no symptoms, and you can go back to your regular eating habits.
How Is Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome Diagnosed?
You need to understand that several health issues can make you have repeated vomiting. For your healthcare provider to diagnose, they will need to know about your symptoms and past health conditions. A physical exam will need to be done, among other tests, by the healthcare provider to ensure they are making the proper diagnosis.
Wondering what other tests the healthcare provider will be performing? They include blood tests, pregnancy tests, urine analysis, drug screen, upper endoscopy, head CT scan, and an abdominal CT scan. However, you should know that not all healthcare providers are aware of CHS, given that it was discovered recently, and as a result, they might not spot it for several years.
They can confuse it with cyclical vomiting disorder, which has the same symptoms as Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome. It is best to admit to your healthcare provider that you have been using cannabis, as it might help speed up the diagnosis.
How Is Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome Treated?
When you have severe vomiting, you will need to be hospitalized for a short period. During this time in the hyperemesis phase, you will need several treatments. They include IV fluid replacement for dehydration, medicine to reduce vomiting, pain medicine for abdominal pain, frequent hot showers, and proton-pump inhibitors.
After receiving such treatment, you will notice the symptoms are gone after a day or two. You need to understand that to recover fully, you will need to stop using marijuana completely. If it is challenging to stop using cannabis, you might seek help from drug rehab centers or cognitive behavioral therapy.
What To Do To Prevent Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome?
Hot baths and showers may provide temporary relief, as well as over-the-counter pain relievers. Some patients also find that consuming small amounts of cannabis is helpful for symptom management.
Medical marijuana is effective at treating Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome. If you find yourself suffering from this condition, ask your doctor about medical marijuana control symptoms. Because there is no cure for Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome, the only treatment option available so far is symptom management.
Some patients find that consuming small amounts of cannabis is helpful for symptom management. Recent studies have shown that Compazine and ondansetron may be more effective than other anti-nausea medications, but they also carry a higher risk of side effects. Other researchers recommend taking a hot bath or shower to help the symptoms subside temporarily.
If symptoms become unbearable, a doctor may prescribe stronger medications for nausea and vomiting that are usually reserved for chemotherapy patients. However, these drugs come with serious side effects, such as depression and suicidal thoughts in some cases.
Some research shows that Dilantin, an anti-seizure medication, may help ease the symptoms of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome. However, this drug can also cause dangerous side effects such as kidney damage and low blood pressure. Other medications that have been prescribed to patients with CHS include Reglan (metoclopramide).
Another proposed treatment option is the use of capsaicin cream, which has been shown to effectively treat other cyclic vomiting disorders. Capsaicin cream is thought to help alleviate vomiting by depleting certain neurotransmitters in the sensory neurons of the trigeminal system.