Crohn’s Disease Will Likely Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in North Carolina!
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease that causes high levels of inflammation in the intestines. Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition, and there is no known cure.
Crohn’s disease will likely be a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana certification in North Carolina when a program is established.
What are the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease Can Vary by Patient
High levels of inflammation in the intestine can cause significant pain and discomfort. Although there are medications that help treat some of the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, there is no cure, and some symptoms may get worse with medications.
Pain, cramps, diarrhea, and constipation are common problems cited by patients with Crohn’s disease, and some symptoms may even require immediate medical attention.
Though symptoms can vary, often patients will experience abdominal pain, weak muscles, reduced appetite, bloody stool, constipation, and weight loss.
How is Crohn’s Disease Diagnosed?
Testing for Crohn’s Disease is Multifaceted
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition, meaning it will last indefinitely and cannot be cured. Because symptoms can vary from person to person, some patients may experience light symptoms that are easily managed, while other patients can experience more severe, and even dangerous symptoms if not managed properly.
The more serious effects of Crohn’s disease such as bleeding from the rectum, skin blisters, and diarrhea can require prompt medical attention and cause extreme discomfort.
Crohn’s disease is diagnosed by reviewing a patient’s medical history and performing exams for signs of inflammation in the digestive system. Often, a colonoscopy, endoscopy, stool sample, and blood tests are taken alongside the exams to better identify a positive diagnosis.
How is Crohn’s Disease Treated?
Medication & Dieting for Crohn’s Disease
While the symptoms of Crohn’s disease can vary by patients, it’s treatability can waver among patients as well.
Treatment options for Crohn’s disease often involve prescribing medications that can work to suppress the immune system, and possibly surgery to remove areas of the intestine that are affected by the inflammation.
Medications like probiotics are also prescribed to help keep your body operating by improving digestion and assisting with gut bacterial functioning. Dieting and nutritional therapy are also commonly used by patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, as certain foods can cause more pain or discomfort for Crohn’s patients.
Anti-inflammatories like corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medicines are frequently prescribed to Crohn’s patients, although these pharmaceuticals often have very negative side effects and are very aggressive on the body, so long-term sustainability is debated.
Can Medical Marijuana Help with Crohn’s Disease?
Medical Marijuana is a Powerful Anti-Inflammatory for Crohn’s Disease
Cannabis is known to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties, which could make a big difference in the quality of life for patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
Cannabis can also interact with receptors found throughout the gut and may possibly provide localized inflammation relief, though this research is still ongoing. It’s important to note that cannabis is an alternative supplementary medicine for Crohn’s patients, not a replacement.
Patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease may benefit from medical marijuana’s nausea and pain relief, and studies are ongoing to determine how effective cannabis can be in treating intestinal inflammation.
Studies have shown that when cannabis is used alongside traditional medications, medical marijuana can help reduce nausea, improve inflammation, and reduce pain.
Cannabis has also been found to promote appetite stimulation, improved sleep, and decreased depression, which could make a huge difference in treating symptoms that are a byproduct of Crohn’s disease.
Medical marijuana has the potential to be a powerful alternative medicine in the treatment regimen for Crohn’s disease and may offer a variety of benefits that would be unavailable or inhibited by traditional pharmaceutical medications.
Get Your North Carolina Marijuana Card for Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease can often be manageable with the right treatment options and medical marijuana may offer strong benefits for patients suffering from Crohn’s disease.
It’s our hope that patients will soon be able to apply for a medical marijuana certification in North Carolina and begin receiving the compassionate treatment that they deserve. When you reserve a medical marijuana evaluation with a North Carolina cannabis doctor today, we’ll keep you posted on all the latest developments in the state program, and you’ll get $25 off your appointment when the time comes!
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