West Virginians who suffer from Crohn’s disease might be surprised to learn that cannabis may be able to help some of their symptoms, particularly nausea and digestive issues. For Crohn’s patients who have had their life interrupted by such a debilitating condition, it’s worth looking into getting your West Virginia medical marijuana card.
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
The Crohn’s Colitis Foundation describes Crohn’s disease as an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic bowel inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The effects of Crohn’s disease can vary from patient to patient, but they are often quite painful and debilitating. In some cases, Crohn’s patients will find themselves dealing with life-threatening complications.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the most common symptoms include:
Abdominal pain and cramping
Severe diarrhea
Fatigue
Reduced appetite and weight loss
Malnutrition
Fever
Blood in your stool
Mouth sores
Pain or drainage near or around the anus
Inflammation of eyes, skin, and joints, as well as liver and bile ducts
Kidney stones
Anemia
How Common Is Crohn’s Disease?
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that more than half a million people in the United States are currently suffering from Crohn’s disease. The condition can be a living nightmare for patients who experience the more severe symptoms.
The pain that those with Crohn’s are forced to deal with can range from minor stomach cramps to more serious symptoms that essentially take over your life and put a halt to whatever plans you may have had.
Those experiencing the more severe effects of Crohn’s deal with issues such as fever blisters on their skin to rectal bleeding, to a pain so severe that their day is brought to a screeching halt, affecting their ability to go to work or meet other obligations.
There Is Currently No Cure for Crohn’s
At the moment, there is not a cure for Crohn’s disease. Luckily, there are some treatment options that may help patients to manage their symptoms. Some of those treatment options may include prescription medications to suppress their immune system.
Other options might include surgery to remove a section of the intestine. Sometimes options like probiotics may help digestion and support overall gut bacteria function. Typically, nutritional therapy is prescribed alongside these other treatments. This is because specific foods may act as catalysts to increase pain or digestive problems, and finding and avoiding these can go a long way to improving Crohn’s symptoms.
Other treatments for Crohn’s might include immunosuppressant medications and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids. Unfortunately, the side effects and complications that these types of medications often have may make them a poor choice for long-term sustainability.
Many patients who are seeking natural alternatives are discovering that medical marijuana may be exactly what they are looking for, due to the natural anti-inflammatory properties and high-level of pain relief cannabis can provide.
How Can Medical Marijuana Help Crohn’s Patients?
The compounds found in medical marijuana naturally react to the brain’s pain receptors, reducing the overall intensity of chronic pain. Combining this with the anti-inflammatory properties of medical marijuana, it is easy to see how it can be an effective tool for Crohn’s patients.
Since Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease and circulates around increased inflammation, medical marijuana can be a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from this condition. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties and the ability that cannabis has to improve nausea and pain.
Studies have shown that when cannabis is used in conjunction with traditional medicine, medical grade cannabis products have been shown to reduce nausea, inflammation, and pain, as well as reduce the need for immunosuppressive medications in some patients.
It is also worth noting that medical marijuana may be a safer option when comparing it to the array of narcotics or opioids that are often over-prescribed. If your quality of life is being compromised by Crohn’s disease, you owe it to yourself to consult with a medical professional to see if medical marijuana can help you regain control over this debilitating condition.
Relief Is Just a Click Away
Are you ready to see if cannabis can help you manage the symptoms of Crohn’s disease? If so, you’ll need a West Virginia medical marijuana card. Our team of compassionate cannabis doctors are ready to help you get your card.
They will help you navigate every step of the process. West Virginia’s program offers medical marijuana to patients with certain conditions and even offers an online application process! That’s right- you can even get your medical marijuana card online from the comfort of your own home with West Virginia Marijuana Card!
To get your medical marijuana card online in West Virginia, simply schedule your medical marijuana evaluation appointment today and get access to legal marijuana products available at dispensaries!
Being a West Virginia medical marijuana patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you. We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way! Feel free to give us a call at 877-303-8424 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical marijuana card in West Virginia.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve
wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana.
Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for
our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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