This unusual symptom could signal a potentially deadly cannabis condition

Catch up quick: The WHO's formal naming of CHS in October, a decision that was also adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will help doctors track the prevalence of the condition and get a better picture of adverse events.

• Soon after, a new study was published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on Nov. 24 about the disease, saying CHS cases remained elevated.
• The study also mentioned cyclic vomiting as a symptom related to CHS.

State of play: Recent reports about CHS and its symptoms have sparked many videos and comments on social media asking about "scromiting" and whether it's really an issue.

• Some social media users have been critical of the term's newfound buzz, saying it's anti-cannabis propaganda. Others say it's been around for years.

What they're saying: "Scromiting is not a technical term, just a catchy one that is now being used to describe CHS," Natashia Swalve, a neuroscience professor at Grand Valley State University, told Axios.

• "The term makes its rounds every four years or so, always being brought up as a new side effect of long-term cannabis use," she added.
• "We already have enough controversy and misinformation about disorders like CHS," Swalve said. "Adding a catchy-named symptom that isn't common for people who are experiencing the disorder is just sensationalizing."

Here's what to know about "scromiting" and CHS.

What is "scromiting" exactly?

"Scromiting" is an extreme combination of "vomiting" and "screaming," which can happen for those with CHS who are experiencing intense levels of pain.

• "They are writhing, holding their stomach, complaining of really bad abdominal pain and nausea," said Dr. Sam Wang, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist, told CNN in September 2021.
• "They vomit and then just continue to vomit whatever they have in their stomach, which can go on for hours."
• The Cleveland Clinic pointed to "scromiting" as a potential symptom of the condition, too.

"Scromiting" and cannabis hyperemesis syndrome

CHS affects long-term, daily marijuana users, and can cause a series of stomach-related issues. It has been linked to heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, kidney failure and even death.

• The only known cure is to stop using marijuana, per the Cleveland Clinic.

• However, there's some evidence that symptoms die off after a hot bath or shower.

The main symptoms of "scromiting" include ongoing nausea, vomiting, belly pain and decreased appetite or weight loss.

Scromiting vs. cyclic vomiting

Some have compared "scromiting" to cyclic vomiting, which is "a condition that causes sudden episodes of severe nausea and vomiting," per the Mayo Clinic.

• Those episodes can last "for hours or days," the clinic says. They can also disappear and return "for several weeks to months."
• Cyclic vomiting syndrome affects all age groups, but is often seen in children who are 3 to 7 years old.
• The syndrome has no clear cause.

Yes, but: The Mayo Clinic says lifestyle changes can help eliminate the vomiting habit. Some medicines, including anti-nausea and migraine drugs, can help, too.

The rise of "winter vomiting disease"

The buzz around "scromiting" comes as another nausea-related illness has been spiking nationwide — the norovirus, or as it's been nicknamed, "the winter vomiting disease."

• The highly contagious norovirus can cause extreme cases of vomiting and diarrhea because of inflammation of the stomach and intestines, the CDC says.
• The norovirus is also the top cause of vomiting and diarrhea, the CDC says, and it can impact all age groups.
• Children and older adults are the most vulnerable to severe infections.

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