New studies show that habitual marijuana users, including teenagers, are hospitalized with uncontrolled vomiting and bowel distress in emergency rooms across the United States.
Known as cannabis hypersensitivity syndrome, according to CNN, this condition is especially pronounced in the 17 states where marijuana is legalized.
“They are writhing, complaining of abdominal pain and nausea,” said Dr. Sam Wang, a pediatric emergency medicine expert and toxicologist who treats teenage patients at the Colorado Children’s Hospital.
“After they vomit, they continue to vomit whatever is in the stomach. This can last for hours.”
“They often say they took a hot shower to get burned before they came to the ER, but that didn’t help. It may be that we have cases of cannabis hypersensitivity syndrome, or CHS. It’s time we know that we can’t, “Wang added.
Known as cannabis hypersensitivity syndrome, according to CNN, this condition is especially pronounced in the 17 states where marijuana is legalized.
Photo: Map of marijuana legality by state
According to Wang’s analysis, the number of CHS cases has skyrocketed in recent years, with more than 800,000 vomiting reports in Colorado alone from 2013 to 2018, and marijuana legal in the state in 2012. It has increased by 29% since it was converted. It was published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open on Friday.
The study also found that teens and young adults were particularly hit by the condition, with more than one-third of vomiting cases occurring in people under the age of 25.
“This is not a rare issue,” Wang said.
“I know my colleagues ask about cannabis use when adolescents have periodic abdominal pain and vomiting. It’s a fairly common practice to see, diagnose and treat.
Treatment of CHS usually consists of antidepressants along with fluid infusions that help treat dehydration due to vomiting.
However, patients admitted to CHS should also undergo a series of tests to better identify the diagnosis, such as CT scans, endoscopy, blood and urine tests, and gastric emptying tests.
Dr. Wang says that some young CHS patients may be readmitted multiple times due to their condition and are forced to undergo such tests.
“For some of our children, this is the fifth ER visit in the last two months, with symptoms they can’t control,” Wang said.
Medical professionals say patients who take too long to be treated for this condition are potentially life-threatening.
“Whether it’s cannabis hypersensitivity syndrome or other viruses that cause cannabis vomiting, making it too long can cause electrolyte damage, shock, and organ failure. CHS is an exception. Not, “Wang said.
Dr. Wang warns that the CHS problem could become even more widespread as more states pass legislation to legalize recreational marijuana.
According to a recent Pew survey, 60% of adults in the United States believe that marijuana is legal for both medical and recreational use.
In the United States, 17 states (and the District of Columbia) have legalized recreational marijuana for adults.
Meanwhile, three dozen states and some US territories also have medical marijuana laws in their books.
According to a recent Pew survey, 60% of adults in the United States believe that marijuana is legal for both medical and recreational use.
Study: Addictive marijuana users (including teenagers) suffer from “out of control vomiting”
Source link Study: Addictive marijuana users (including teenagers) suffer from “out of control vomiting”