SEATTLE – A previously identified condition linked to long-term cannabis use now has a formal diagnosis code from the World Health Association, a change announced October 1. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) causes severe nausea,vomiting,and stomach pain.
The addition of a diagnosis code to the WHOS medical manual provides a standardized way for doctors to identify and track the syndrome, which is particularly valuable for addiction research. It also allows healthcare providers to more easily recognize CHS when reviewing patient medical histories.
“It helps us count and monitor these cases,” explained Beatriz Carlini, a research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine who studies the health effects of cannabis.
While the syndrome is gaining recognition, many doctors remain unfamiliar with it and the reasons why it affects some cannabis users and not others are still unkown.
Treatment options range from home remedies, such as hot showers, to medications like Haldol and over-the-counter treatments like capsaicin cream.
