Cannabis Users Experience Mysterious Illness: Experts Warn of Rising Cases
Taylor Armendariz, a 37-year-old avid cannabis user, woke up on Christmas morning with severe stomach pain and nausea that left her feeling like she was going to vomit again. Despite having smoked before her holiday meal, she had never experienced such intense discomfort. Her boyfriend took her to an urgent care clinic, where she was referred to the hospital for possible appendicitis. However, after undergoing various tests, including an EKG, CT scan, and blood work, all results came back negative.
The nausea persisted, and Armendariz continued to feel unwell even after vomiting until her stomach was empty. Her boyfriend took her back to the hospital, where she told the doctor about the relief she felt after taking a hot shower. This information led the doctor to suspect that Armendariz was suffering from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition that can affect long-time marijuana users.
CHS is characterized by recurring episodes of severe nausea and vomiting, often accompanied by relief when exposed to hot water or a warm bath. Another common symptom is “scromiting,” which involves screaming while vomiting. Emergency medicine doctors are seeing a surge in cases of CHS, which they attribute to the increasing availability of legal and potent marijuana.
The condition was officially recognized as a medical condition by federal health regulators last fall, and it is now listed with a diagnosis code, known as an ICD-10 code, to help track cases. However, many patients struggle to accept the diagnosis, often citing the fact that cannabis is known to alleviate nausea and vomiting in certain situations.
Experts warn that while cannabis may have some benefits, frequent and excessive use can lead to CHS. “Patients will say, ‘It can’t be that because I’ve been smoking for years,’” said Richard Hamilton, a toxicologist. “However, if you’re using cannabis excessively, it can have the opposite effect and cause severe nausea and vomiting.”
Hamilton emphasized that CHS is not a new condition, but the surge in cases is likely due to the changing laws surrounding marijuana use. As a result, emergency medicine doctors are urging patients to be aware of the potential risks associated with excessive cannabis use and to seek medical attention if they experience recurring episodes of nausea and vomiting.
