There have been reports of a “mysterious vomiting disease” associated with marijuana and a name for it: Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome. “Doctors are seeing it more often now,” says Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS, assistant professor in the Institute for Pharmaceutical Practice and Science (PPS) at the School of Pharmacy, Director of the MS in Medical Ceme Online Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program and clinical pharmacist practicing palliative care. So what are the symptoms of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome? Read on for 5 Essential Things You Need To Know – And To Ensure Your Health And The Health Of Others, Don’t Miss Out Sure signs that you have “long” COVID and you may not even know it.
Shutterstock
“Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is a syndrome or condition in which someone who normally uses regularly – most likely someone who has used it for over a year and at least weekly, but mostly daily – has cyclic vomiting syndrome, that is Kind of persistent vomiting, “says Dr. Sera.” And it can get very serious because if someone keeps vomiting, they lose fluids and electrolytes, and that can lead to other complications and organ dysfunction. “
Shutterstock
“Since this is not a well-defined syndrome, there are many differences in detection and classification,” says Sera. The Mayo Clinic names three phases:
Prodromal phase: “Prodromal would mean before the actual vomiting,” says Sera. You feel sick and may have a stomach ache.
Hyperemetic phase: “There is a period when patients have this vomiting syndrome actively.” You can have repetitive episodes and become dehydrated.
Recovery phase: “Recovery would usually come after someone reduces or stops cannabis and the vomiting subsides or stops,” says Sera. It is possible that if you use marijuana again, it could come back.
Shutterstock
Can You Get This Syndrome Repeatedly? “That is quite possible,” says Sera. “The best treatment we know of right now is to reduce or eliminate the use of cannabis products.”
CONNECTED: What daily smoking marijuana does to your body
Shutterstock
“There are some hypotheses that this behavior, this cannabis that causes vomiting, could be because cannabis has what is known as a biphasic effect on vomiting, where low doses can actually help patients who have experienced nausea and vomiting. It can help to improve this. If the dose gets higher and the THC concentration rises, then these kinds of changes tend to be made and patients are more prone to nausea and vomiting than vice versa, “says Sera.
iStock
“There is no consensus on why this is at the moment, but as more people are using cannabis and there are many more cannabis products with higher potency or higher THC concentration on the market, the syndrome is increasingly recognized in emergency rooms. So it seems something to be as cannabis use increases, “says Sera.
CONNECTED: According to doctors, the healthiest benefits of marijuana
Shutterstock
The best way to stop cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is to stop using cannabis, says Sera. If you have symptoms, see a doctor. “Refilling fluids and electrolytes is definitely something that needs to be done for patients,” says Sera. Anti-vomiting medications can also be given, but these can have side effects. Again, this is not a treatment, but “people find relief by taking hot showers or hot baths,” says Sera, adding that this is often a signal to emergency room doctors that they have cannabis hyperemesis syndrome have to do. And for the healthiest way through life, don’t miss The # 1 Cause of Diabetes.
Comments are closed.