New Health Condition Related to Marijuana Use Gains Global Recognition
A new health issue linked to long-term marijuana use is gaining attention from health officials worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially added cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) to its diagnostic manual. This announcement, made in October, marks the first time this condition has been assigned a specific code, allowing doctors to identify and study it more effectively.
CHS is a serious syndrome affecting people who use cannabis regularly. According to the National Institutes of Health, it causes extreme nausea, repeated vomiting, stomach pain, dehydration, weight loss, and in rare instances, serious complications like heart rhythm issues and kidney failure. Some patients even report a painful experience known as “scromiting,” where they vomit while crying out in agony.
Identifying CHS can be difficult for medical professionals, as its symptoms often resemble food poisoning or stomach flu, leading some patients to go years without a proper diagnosis. Health experts believe this new classification will help in tracking and understanding the condition better.
Beatriz Carlini, a professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, explained that the new classification will help monitor cases of CHS more effectively. Hospitals can now more accurately document incidents of this syndrome, providing vital data on the health risks associated with cannabis use.
A recent study published by JAMA Network Open indicated a sharp rise in emergency room visits for CHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend that has continued. The spike in cases is thought to be related to increased stress, isolation, and greater access to potent cannabis products. The research revealed that visits for CHS increased by about 650% from 2016, especially among young adults aged 18 to 35. Potency levels in cannabis have also changed dramatically, with many products now containing more than 20% THC, compared to just 5% in the 1990s.
Experts in mental health and addiction are increasingly alarmed by this trend. John Puls, a psychotherapist in Florida, stated that he has witnessed a concerning rise in CHS cases, especially among teenagers and young adults using high-potency cannabis products.
While some researchers stress that more investigation is needed to establish the connection between high-THC cannabis and CHS, many believe a correlation exists. Puls mentioned that one common misconception is that CHS is not a real medical condition, making the new diagnosis code a significant advancement.
Although cannabis is often used to alleviate nausea, medical professionals note that the effective treatments usually contain much lower levels of THC.
Currently, stopping cannabis use seems to be the only reliable way to cure CHS, according to the Cleveland Clinic and the NIH. Standard nausea medications are often ineffective, leading doctors to use stronger alternatives or capsaicin cream, which has been noted to provide temporary relief.
A unique characteristic of CHS is that many sufferers find comfort only in long, hot showers, although the reason for this remains a mystery.
Despite the sporadic nature of the syndrome, leading some to think their illness was a fluke, many users struggle with dependency. Even those who recognize they have CHS find it challenging to quit using cannabis.
Public health experts are hopeful that the new WHO code will improve the identification of CHS in emergency settings. With the legalization of cannabis and the rise of high-potency products, such identification will be crucial for understanding and addressing public health concerns related to cannabis use.
