Global Health Officials Recognize Mysterious Vomiting Disorder Linked to Long-Term Marijuana Use
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially added cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) to its diagnostic manual, providing a dedicated code for the condition. This move is expected to help save lives as cases of CHS continue to surge across the United States.
CHS is a severe and potentially life-threatening disorder that affects chronic cannabis users. Symptoms include severe nausea, repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, weight loss, and in rare cases, heart rhythm problems, seizures, kidney failure, and death. Patients often experience a terrifying symptom known as “scromiting,” which involves screaming and vomiting simultaneously due to extreme pain.
Health experts believe that the rise in high-THC cannabis products may be contributing to the increase in CHS cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has adopted the WHO’s updated guidance, allowing physicians nationwide to identify, track, and study CHS rather than grouping it under broader vomiting or gastrointestinal categories.
CHS is a mysterious disorder that was previously not formally recognized by global health officials. However, the WHO’s decision to add it to its diagnostic manual is expected to improve diagnosis and treatment of the condition, ultimately saving lives.
