Seattle, WA – A disabling condition linked to long-term cannabis use now has an official diagnosis code from the World Health Association (WHO), a advancement researchers at the University of Washington (UW) say will improve tracking, treatment, and understanding of the syndrome. The code was added to the WHO’s medical classification manual on October 1.
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) causes severe stomach pain, vomiting, and nausea in some chronic cannabis users. While the condition has been recognized by some medical professionals for years, the lack of a standardized diagnosis hindered research and made it arduous to identify cases. The new code provides a clear pathway for doctors to diagnose CHS and review patient medical histories for the syndrome.
“It helps us count and monitor these cases,” explained Beatriz Carlini, a research associate professor at the UW School of Medicine. Many doctors remain unfamiliar with CHS, and the reasons why it affects some users and not others are still unknown, according to reporting by KIRO-7.
Treatment options include home remedies like hot showers, which can alleviate symptoms when other treatments fail. Medications such as Haldol and over-the-counter capsaicin cream may also provide relief. The update is expected to be beneficial for addiction researchers seeking to better understand and address the condition.
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