Contributor: Mark Bishop
Have you or a loved one been recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease? You’re not alone! Research indicates that more than half a million Americans are currently affected by this disorder. In this article, we explore how medical marijuana dispensary can be used as an alternative to steroids to help inflammation in Crohn’s Disease patients.
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease. It is known to affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus, and can cause severe pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and other symptoms.
Whilst its cause is unknown, it seems to be an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the digestive tract. Further to inflammation, the body produces too much mucus in affected areas and does not produce enough acid to digest food. This can lead to ulcers or open sores (ulcers) in the digestive tract that bleed easily.
A person with Crohn’s disease may have periods of remission (when symptoms improve) interspersed with periods where they experience worsening symptoms or new symptoms that appear for the first time. Some people experience continuous symptoms without remission. The severity of each episode varies from person to person.
Conventional treatment for Crohn’s Disease?
Patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease are often prescribed steroids to treat inflammation. However, one of the side effects of this treatment is extreme fatigue and lethargy, making it difficult for patients to lead a normal life.
How cannabis can help provide relief?
Cannabis has been shown to provide relief from symptoms similar to steroids without the feelings of fatigue or lethargy, making it a far better alternative for patients suffering from Crohn’s Disease. Encourage your patients to talk with their doctor about medical marijuana if they are looking for an alternative treatment to steroids.
Also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, cannabis helps to block pain signals from traveling through the body by activating cannabinoid receptors in the brain and spinal cord that help regulate bodily functions including mood and appetite.
Key Takeaway
Marijuana does have the potential to offer a handful of therapeutic benefits — the most promising being its anti-inflammatory effect. However, there is still much work to be done in this space and all of these findings are preliminary, marijuana might be a worthy treatment option if conventional treatments are ineffective or produce serious side effects.
