Medical Marijuana for Sickle Cell Anemia

Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia

Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually appear around 5 months of age. They vary from person to person and change over time. If you or your child develops any of the following problems, we recommend that you see a doctor right away or seek emergency medical care:

• Abdominal swelling
• Acute and chronic pain
• Anemia
• Delayed growth or puberty
• Fever
• Frequent infections
• Pale skin or nail beds
• Signs or symptoms of stroke
• Swelling of hands and feet
• Unexplained episodes of severe pain
• Vision problems
• Yellow tint to the skin or whites of the eyes

How to Diagnose Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is usually diagnosed in infancy through newborn screening programs and gene testing. Blood tests and Hb electrophoresis to assess the different forms of hemoglobin in the red blood cells are also performed to confirm the diagnosis.

In adults, a blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm. In young children and babies, the blood sample is usually collected from a finger or heel. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where it’s screened for the defective hemoglobin.

Statistics to Consider

• The first report of Sickle Cell Disease was made in 1846 during the autopsy of a runaway slave who was executed and whose spleen was found to be missing.
• 75% of the total cases originate in Africa. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2% of the newborns in Nigeria were found to be affected, which estimates to about 150,000 infants every year in Nigeria alone.
• More than 100,000 people across America suffer from sickle cell anemia.
• 1/13 African American babies in America are born with this condition.
• It is more commonly found in populations where the prevalence of malaria is high.

Medical Marijuana for Sickle Cell Anemia

There are numerous ways that medical marijuana can help patients suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia. Medical cannabis has proven pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, which helps reduce the damage to internal organs by reducing the inflammation that plagues the organs. Medical marijuana also offers relief from anxiety, depression, and other serious mental disorders that may impact a person’s quality of life.

In addition to medical marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD) has also shown promising results. Many patients suffering from the disease opt for CBD as a treatment option due to its non-psychoactive properties. CBD not only directly inhibits the pain associated with Sickle Cell Anemia, but can dramatically improve the quality of life for these patients.