The size of the world’s legal marijuana industry was estimated at 13.2 billion US Dollars in 2021, and it is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 25.5% by 2030. If you are a consumer of legal marijuana, then you must be careful with CHS. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a rare condition that causes severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The symptoms are caused by the overuse of cannabis and can last for months or years if left untreated. While it’s rare, you can alleviate your symptoms when traveling with CHS, but first, you must understand what this condition entails.
What Is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome?
At least once a year, 192 million people consume cannabis in one form or another. The condition, also referred to as CHS, is a rare but severe and potentially life-threatening condition. It usually affects young people who have been using marijuana derived from cannabis for a long time. That is typically caused by at least several years of daily use.
The most common symptoms are uncontrollable vomiting and nausea that come on suddenly after hot showers or baths. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome also causes abdominal pain, fever, itchy skin, and weight loss.
Although there is no cure for CHS, treatment options are available to help manage symptoms until the body heals itself from the illness. However, all patients should seek medical attention immediately if they experience severe symptoms such as dehydration or dry mouth, confusion, or changes in mental status.
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Drink Plenty Of Fluids
The first thing you’ll want to do is drink plenty of fluids. At least eight glasses a day is recommended, and drink before you feel thirsty. Avoid drinking too much at once, which can lead to more vomiting. For the same reason, avoid caffeinated or carbonated drinks like soda and ginger ale, which may worsen your symptoms by triggering nausea. Alcohol should also be avoided entirely, for now. It can significantly affect your body when combined with emetogenic foods or other drugs known to cause hyperemesis syndrome.
Get Medication From Reliable Sources
It’s essential to get your medication from a reliable source. The result can be different than you expect, so it’s best to go with someone who knows what a reliable source is doing. If you buy from an unknown source, there’s no way of knowing if the product contains the proper dosage or cannabinoid profile. For example, some products may be labeled as “CBD oil” but contain only trace amounts of cannabinoids. It can be equivalent to drinking water instead of wine. In addition, many people have trouble finding strains that match their conditions and symptoms. Also, most dispensaries don’t carry every strain under the sun either. Therefore, finding something that works well for you may take some time or luck.
When Nauseous, Lie Down In A Quiet Place
If you feel nauseous, find a quiet place to lie down. Do not try to ride out nausea in your car or on public transportation. It will only make you feel more nauseous and uncomfortable. If you have time before traveling, get used to taking CBD oil from home. In 2022, it’s anticipated that cannabidiol (CBD) sales to consumers in the United States will reach 1.8 billion dollars. Buying CBD oil, therefore, is not an issue. Learn how it affects your body so that you know how much CBD oil to take if needed when traveling.
If vomiting occurs on an airplane or other public transportation without ready access to a bathroom, keep a bucket or bag handy. Then, in that case, others won’t be inconvenienced by your vomit too much during their travels.
Stick To Your Medication Schedule
Sticking to your medication schedule is very important. You should follow the doctor’s recommendations and take your medication on time, as prescribed. If you miss a dose, try not to worry about it and take it as soon as possible. If this frequently happens over a long period, talk to your doctor about other ways to manage CHS.
Avoid long-term use of opioids if possible. While painkillers are often used during acute episodes, they should not use them long-term because they can cause dependence in some people with CHS. In addition, opioids can cause constipation which may worsen nausea and vomiting caused by CHS.
Avoid Eating Spicy Food
Spicy food is not recommended for those with CHS. It is because spicy foods can irritate the gut and cause further issues. However, if you choose to consume spicy food, it’s essential to be mindful of how much you eat and how often you’re drinking so as not to exacerbate your symptoms.
Food items with a higher concentration of capsaicin are more likely to trigger CHS symptoms than others, including chili peppers. But if you want some hot sauce on top of your burrito bowl or tacos, go for it. Just watch out for those jalapeños.
Check Weather Before Traveling
The first thing to do is to check the weather before traveling. If you are going somewhere hot and humid, it’s best not to travel in this kind of temperature. On the other hand, if you are traveling from a dry environment, i.e., desert or high mountains, then make sure you bring enough water for your trip. It would help if you also avoid drinking alcohol. It will dehydrate you even more than usual due to CBD hyperemesis syndrome causing vomiting symptoms and feeling nauseous from the heat or humidity itself.
If possible, avoid traveling in an unfamiliar place where there may be contaminated water sources, such as lakes or rivers. It can cause stomach upset after drinking them, resulting in vomiting and a loop where you don’t want your condition worsening.
CHS Can Be Managed With The Right Knowledge And Preparedness
If you or someone you know is planning on traveling with CHS, there are a few things you should be aware of. First, ensure that your cannabis-induced vomiting knowledge is up to date. Second, getting all the equipment necessary for your trip is essential. Finally, gathering all the information about your destination is required to avoid any trips that may trigger episodes of CHS. With these considerations in mind, there are many places around the world where people can go with minimal risk of triggering an episode.
This information was originally posted on happyvalley.org.
