Kratom is a plant that some people use to help with pain, mood disorders, or getting off opioid drugs. It can also cause some serious side effects. In this case study, doctors describe a healthy young man who started having trouble breathing after using kratom. He ended up needing to be put on a breathing machine. Tests showed his lungs were badly damaged, but there were no signs of infection or other causes.
The doctors figured out that the kratom was causing the patient’s breathing problems. Kratom can have effects like opioid drugs, and in high doses it can lead to serious problems like these respiratory issues. The case shows that kratom can be unsafe and even be life-threatening.
Key takeaways:
- Kratom use can lead to a serious lung condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
- ARDS from kratom can require mechanical ventilation to help the patient breathe.
- Kratom can have opioid-like effects and can be dangerous, even life-threatening, in high doses.
- More research is needed on the full health risks of kratom.
- Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential dangers of kratom and report any adverse effects.
For further reading:
Link: https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/2023_003835
Full Citation:
Chinnappan J, Navari Y, Casini D, Palanisamy N, Parikh N, Seedahmed E. Kratominduced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). EJCRIM 2023;10:doi:10.12890/2023_003835
