“Remember, 90% of people with chronic gastroparesis are women, so a young male is a red flag for cannabinoid use, whether or not you’ve got the right history,” Dr. Lembo told attendees at the meeting, jointly provided by Rutgers and Global Academy for Medical Education.
Dr. Lembo recounted an example from his own practice where a young male patient with recurrent nausea and vomiting denied cannabis use in the presence of family members.
“It was only after we managed to hospitalize him because he was losing so much weight that he came out and talked to one of the residents that he was an actually a daily pot smoker,” Dr. Lembo said. “Once we stopped it, the symptoms went away.”
Anthony Lembo
Clinicians in states where cannabis use is increasing might need to be particularly alert for cannabis-related issues. According to the study by Dr. Lembo, the Midwest and West regions registered higher rates of vomiting with cannabis use disorder, compared with the Northeast and South.
Whether cannabinoids also can be a treatment for nausea or vomiting is a frequently asked question, Dr. Lembo said.