Colorado sees spike in illness linked to marijuana use
Doctors say chronic marijuana use may be linked to an illness known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, or CHS. In recent years, the number of known cases doubled in Colorado.
Experts say CHS is caused by chronic or heavy use of marijuana, which means ingesting or smoking marijuana at least once per day.
The symptoms can be severe. Patients have reported intense, nonstop nausea and stomach pain that can sometimes last up to a month.
Dr. Kennon Heard, a physician with the University of Colorado Hospital, is one of several doctors studying the effects of CHS.
He and his team have found that the number of hospital visits for CHS doubled since medical marijuana became prevalent. The study takes a closer look at more than 2,500 hospital visits. From 2008-09, the study found there were 41 visits to emergency rooms for CHS.
2010-11, after what the study describes as the “post-liberalization” period for medical marijuana, the number jumped to 87 ER visits.
"We see them here on a daily to weekly basis," Heard said.
Heard said CHS is not a major health problem if you compare it side by side to the consequences of alcohol use. However, he adds that symptoms can be severe and can last for months.
"You can imagine ending up in the emergency department three to five times," he said.
Experts say the number of people suffering from CHS is unclear because not everyone who has it goes to the hospital.
"The biggest problem we've seen with this disease is that until now, it's been unrecognized, and therefore, these people are suffering longer than they need to."
Many marijuana users have asked why they are only now hearing about CHS. Heard said while the illness may have been documented as early as 2004, the symptoms haven't always been recognized.
Heard said CHS is in many ways still a mystery. He still doesn't know the reason marijuana triggers symptoms like nausea and stomach pain. Only that there definitely seems to be a link.
Peter Williams says he's experienced symptoms of CHS for at least four years. He's not sure what triggered the symptoms that sent him to the hospital numerous times.
"I got really sick and it was the most intense nausea I've ever felt in my life that had no relief," Williams said. "The only relief for me was taking scalding hot baths or showers to feel better for 15 minutes."
Williams said he stopped consuming marijuana but once he started again, the symptoms came back.
"I quit marijuana for two months and then I got sick again and I thought, it can't be the marijuana. But I don't think two months was long enough to get it out of my system," Williams said.
Williams said he'll wait at least six months before trying to smoke again. He wants pot users to be cautious but not afraid of consuming marijuana.
"I see the benefits of marijuana every day," he said.
People experiencing symptoms should visit a doctor immediately; CHS can lead to dehydration and kidney problems if it goes unchecked.
According to Heard, the cure to CHS is simple: Stop using marijuana.