Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

More Kids Using Cannabis, Arriving In The ED

Between 2016 and 2023, emergency department (ED) visits for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) among adolescents aged 13 to 21 years rose significantly with an overall annual increase of 49%, as published in JAMA Network Open. The rate grew from 160.4 to 1,968.3 cases per 1 million ED visits over the study period. Out of 4,571 cases sampled, 27 patients were hospitalized with intensive care. States with recreational cannabis legalization had higher CHS encounter rates overall—1,909.5 …

More Cannabis Use Equals More Negative Health Effects

Cannabis use among adults is rising, which emerging literature shows also causes added concern for negative health effects. This month in a health letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found the prevalence of past-month cannabis use among older adults increased significantly from 4.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9%-5.9%) in 2021 to 7.0% (95% CI, 6.2%-8.0%) in 2023. The study included 15,689 adults aged 65 years or older. Additionally, a separate retrospective study involving 6 …

New Cannabis Institute Aims to Study Pros and Cons of Marijuana Use

The Cannabis Research Institute recently set up a research lab at the Illinois Medical Center in Chicago to evaluate the potential harms and benefits of marijuana. Researchers will study recreational and medical uses as well as plant cultivation. Efforts are supported by a 3-year, $7 million grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services with anticipation of applying for additional research grants from other governmental and nonprofit organizations. Even so, it can take years to …

Emesis Ad Nauseum: A Case Report of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in Urgent Care

Urgent message: Frequent cannabis use can lead to a syndrome characterized by severe and cyclical vomiting without other clear triggers. Termed “cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome,” this disorder is often refractory to conventional antiemetic pharmacotherapy. Citation: Ramos J, Russell J. Emesis Ad Nauseum: A Case Report of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in Urgent Care. J Urgent Care Med. 2024; 18 (11): 13-18 John Ramos, MMS, PA-C, CAQ-EM, Joshua Russell, MD, MSc, ELS, FACEP, FCUCM Abstract Introduction: Cannabinoid hyperemesis …

Cannabis Present In Rising Number of Suicide Reports

A study in JAMA Network Open examined the presence of cannabis in suicide cases, as reported to US poison centers from 2009 through 2021. Researchers found intentional, suspected suicidal cannabis exposures increased by approximately 17% annually. According to national data, 18,689 exposures were reported in the time frame, and nearly all (96.5%) cases involved exposure to more than 1 substance in addition to cannabis. Overall, 9.6% of exposures resulted in death or major adverse outcomes, …

Is Your Patient Allergic to Ragweed, or Weed?

Spring has officially arrived, and with the snow continuing to melt it won’t be long before seasonal allergens are in full bloom. Urgent care physicians are reminded, however, that symptoms of allergic reactions to pollen and ragweed can be identical to those seen in patients who are allergic to cannabis, ranging from mild sinusitis to acute exacerbations of asthma. Since allergy panels don’t typically test for reaction to marijuana, the only way to get a …

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