Medical Marijuana for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
If you or a loved one is struggling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), you should know that medical marijuana may be available for treating symptoms of this condition. Schedule an appointment with us at 888-316-9085 to start your evaluation process!
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a medical disorder that causes chronic inflammation to the gastrointestinal tract.
IBD can be painful, discomforting, and sometimes life-threatening. The two types of IBD are Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. Ulcerative Colitis is limited to the colon or large intestine while Crohn’s Disease can impact any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn’s Disease commonly develops in the tail end of the small intestine.
Compassionate Certification Centers is here to help you understand the benefits of medical marijuana for IBD and help you legally qualify for a medical marijuana card.
Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The symptoms of IBD may vary between mild to severe based on which part of the intestine is affected. Below are some of the common symptoms:
- Abdominal pain, cramping & bloating
- Arthritis
- Eye inflammation
- Fatigue
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Loose and urgent bowel movement
- Loss of appetite
- Rectal bleeding
- Severe recurring diarrhea
- Skin disorders
- Weight loss & anemia
How to Diagnose Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopies, upper endoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, and capsule endoscopies are key to diagnosing IBD because they provide clear and detailed views of the gastrointestinal tract. These tests help physicians differentiate between Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Physicians may also suggest blood tests to check for anemia and signs of infection from bacteria or viruses. You may need to provide a stool sample so that your doctor can test for hidden blood in your stool.
Statistics to Consider
- Approximately 3 million Americans currently suffer from IBD
- Nearly 70,000 new cases of IBD are diagnosed in the United States each year
- The disease affects both men and women equally. However, Ulcerative Colitis is more commonly found with men while Crohn’s Disease is more common with women
Medical Marijuana for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The human body is composed of receptors that react to cannabis, and many of those receptors are in the gastrointestinal tract. When a patient uses medical marijuana these receptors interact with natural molecules in the body, known as endocannabinoids, to regulate mood, appetite, and inflammation.
Medical cannabis and CBD has shown some therapeutic promise over the past decade for a broad range of conditions. While there is currently no known cure for this chronic condition, medical marijuana and its derivatives, cannabinoids, have grown increasingly popular as a potential therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Below are a few other positive effects that patients have found when they’ve used medical marijuana to help treat their IBD systems:
- Relaxation of the esophageal sphincter
- Decrease in gastrointestinal flareups
- Reduction in abdominal pain
- Decline in diarrhea and nausea
- Increased appetite
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Due to the seriousness of the disease, many states have legalized the use of medical marijuana for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to get your medical marijuana card:
- Register over the phone or online
- Talk to a medical marijuana doctor
- Get your medical marijuana card
Compassionate Certification Centers is here to provide you with the support, care, and guidance you need to get certified for a medical marijuana card. Schedule an appointment with us at 888-316-9085 to start your evaluation process!
