What is 'Scromiting'? ER Doctors Are Seeing it More
The painful condition, with symptoms of both screaming and vomiting, is linked to cannabis use.
Cannabis use is now legal in 24 U.S. states, leading to an increase in a condition known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). E.R. doctors are increasingly seeing this syndrome, which was first described in Australia in 2004. CHS is characterized by abdominal pain and vomiting that subside after cannabis use stops. It's more prevalent in young adults who use high-potency cannabis for an extended period.
Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and nausea that can lead to vomiting, which can be so intense that people scream while vomiting. The condition is poorly understood, but it shares similarities with cyclic vomiting syndrome, another disorder with similar symptoms. However, unlike cyclic vomiting syndrome, CHS does not occur in people who have never used cannabis.
The rise in CHS cases coincides with the increased potency of cannabis and its widespread use. Although most patients with CHS are young adults, it can affect people of all ages. Risk factors include prolonged use of high-THC cannabis. Quitting cannabis can be challenging, and the relationship between CHS and mental health conditions is still unclear.
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