How to Treat CHS

Diagnosing CHS Yourself

Pay attention to nausea that’s accompanied by stomach pain. If you suddenly start to experience unexplained nausea that also includes pain in your abdominal area, think about what could have caused it. Consider any food or drinks that you’ve consumed that could cause your symptoms. Pay attention to any other symptoms that you have that could indicate that you have an illness such as fever, cold chills, or a cough. If you have a fever or a cough, you may be suffering from a cold or another illness. Think about all of the foods and drinks that you’ve eaten in the past 48 hours that could potentially make you sick, such as raw or old food.Tip: Consider any allergies that you have that you could have accidentally been exposed to as well.

Take note if your nausea and stomach pain is followed by vomiting. A key feature of diagnosing CHS is nausea and stomach pain that is quickly followed by intractable, or uncontrollable vomiting. Take note if you still feel the persistent need to vomit even after you do actually throw up. Uncontrollable vomiting may start a few hours or even a day after your symptoms of nausea and stomach pain start. If your stomach is empty, signs that you have uncontrollable vomiting are constant dry heaving or throwing up small amounts of stomach acid.

Count how many times a day you bathe. A surefire sign that you have CHS is if your nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting are relieved by taking a hot bath or hot shower, so many people suffering from it will compulsively take several a day. Consider how often you bathe and think about if your symptoms feel better whenever you do. Bathing more than twice a day could be a sign of CHS if you’re experiencing other symptoms as well.

Watch for any weight loss or feelings of anxiety and agitation. Since CHS usually appears as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort first, so you may lose weight. If you’ve lost more than 11 pounds (5.0 kg), then it might be a sign you have CHS. CHS can also have long-term effects on your mood, such as making you feel agitated or anxious, so if you’ve had those feelings more recently, it could be a sign.

Identify how often you smoke marijuana. CHS is caused by excessive marijuana use, so think about how often you consume it. Try to count how many times a day you’ve used it in the past few weeks. If you’ve consumed marijuana more than 3 times a week over the past month and you’re experiencing all of the other symptoms, you may be suffering from CHS. If you start to experience additional symptoms that aren’t related to CHS, such as aches and a fever, you may have a different condition or illness and should see a doctor. Only a doctor can definitively confirm a medical diagnosis of CHS.

Managing the Symptoms at Home

Stop using marijuana to keep your symptoms from getting worse. CHS is caused by excessive marijuana use, so stop using it immediately if you start experiencing the symptoms of CHS. Quit using marijuana entirely as even small amounts of the active ingredient, THC, can cause your symptoms to flare up or get worse. You may notice that your symptoms improve quickly after you stop using marijuana. Even eating or vaping marijuana will still expose you to THC, which will make your symptoms worse.

Take a hot bath or shower to help relieve your nausea and stomach pain. Fill a tub with hot water or turn on a shower and let the heat build up. Take a shower whenever your symptoms start to flare up so you can experience some relief but try not to take more than 5 or 6 a day so you don’t dehydrate yourself or dry out your skin. After you stop using marijuana, use hot baths or showers to help relieve your symptoms as they begin to improve. It’s not entirely known why heat helps relieve symptoms, but it is an acknowledged medical fact.

Drink water and clear liquids to prevent dehydration. Because CHS is accompanied by persistent nausea and vomiting, you’re at risk of dehydration. Replenish your lost fluids by drinking water, clear liquids such as soup or broth, and sports drinks with electrolytes so you’re well hydrated. Sip on the liquids so you don’t upset your stomach further and vomit. Treating dehydration is extremely important to your recovery. Taking lots of hot showers and baths to relieve your symptoms can dry out your skin and cause your body to use up more of its stored water.Warning: If you begin to experience symptoms of dehydration, such as dark yellow urine, very dry skin, dizziness, rapid heartbeat or breathing, sunken eyes, or fainting, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. In addition to increasing your fluid intake, stop drinking sugary drinks such as soda, drinks with caffeine such as tea or coffee, and alcohol. Consuming these, even in small amounts, will make your symptoms worse and further dehydrate you, which could lead to serious medical issues. Stick with water and clear liquids to rehydrate yourself. Caffeine and alcohol are natural diuretics, which means they’ll make you urinate more frequently, causing you to lose additional fluids.

Take over-the-counter medication to treat your nausea. If you’re able to hold down medications, taking some to relieve your nausea can help you feel better while you recover from CHS. Visit your local pharmacy or have a friend pick up some over-the-counter medicine designed to relieve nausea and take it as directed on the packaging. You may find that taking a pill is more tolerable than drinking flavored nausea medication, but go with what works best for you. If you feel faint or your vomiting is persistent, don’t drive to pick up medicine. Have a friend or family member get some for you.

Knowing When to Seek Medical Help

See your doctor if you don’t stop vomiting after 2 days. Vomiting should subside after a certain period of time. If your vomiting continues for more than 2 days, even after you’ve tried different treatments, contact your doctor. It could be a sign of a deeper problem.

Get medical attention if you exhibit signs of dehydration. Continued vomiting can deplete your body of its fluids which can lead to dehydration. Furthermore, nausea and vomiting can prevent you from drinking an adequate amount of water, which can also cause dehydration. If untreated, dehydration can be very dangerous. Get medical attention immediately if you start to show signs of it. Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, sleepiness, decreased or dark urine, headache, dry skin, and dizziness. If you’re unable to hold down any water, pay close attention for any symptoms of dehydration.

Seek emergency medical care for severe abdominal or chest pain. While mild to moderate stomach pain is normal for CHS, if you’re experiencing intense and sharp pain in your abdomen or your chest while you’re vomiting, it could be a sign of a serious medical issue. Get to an emergency room as soon as possible to make sure everything is okay. Sharp pain in your chest could be a sign of an impending heart attack.

Go to the emergency room if you have blood in your vomit. Vomiting is a common symptom of CHS, but repeated vomiting can potentially rupture or tear your stomach lining. f you see dark, red blood or what looks like coffee grounds in your vomit, don’t panic, but get emergency medical attention as soon as possible to make sure there isn’t a serious issue. A hemorrhage or rupture needs to be treated as soon as possible. Don’t delay seeking medical help if you see blood in your vomit.

Talk to an addiction counselor if you’re unable to stop using marijuana. The only real treatment for CHS is to stop using marijuana. If you’re struggling to quit consuming it, look online for an addiction specialist near you and make an appointment to meet with them. You’ll learn strategies to help you quit using the drug. Your doctor may be able to refer you to an addiction specialist.