Arthritis Patients Can Have Medical Marijuana Access

Updated on October 31, 2021

Many people believe that medical marijuana is a safe and natural approach to treat a multitude of ailments, including arthritis and muscle pain. 

If you have any ailments and want to try a natural alternative option, a person with arthritis is qualified for a medical marijuana card. Medical marijuana as another treatment for arthritis has been shown to help ease symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

If you want to learn more about how medical marijuana can help with your arthritis and find out if you are qualified, apply online at TeleLeaf.com

Medical Marijuana Benefits for Arthritis

It’s not just about addressing pain and swelling when it comes to arthritis management. Patients said they used marijuana to alleviate a variety of symptoms and adverse effects related to arthritis, including:

  • Pain
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Relaxation
  • Depressed state of mind
  • Nausea
  • Physical performance
  • Fatigue

Overview of Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition in which the joints become inflamed. It might affect a single joint or a number of joints. There are about 100 different varieties of arthritis, each with its own set of causes and treatments. Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two of the most frequent kinds of arthritis (RA).

Arthritis symptoms normally occur gradually over time, although they can also appear unexpectedly. 

Arthritis is most frequent in people over 65, but it can also affect children, teenagers, and younger individuals. Women and overweight adults are more likely to develop arthritis than men.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The most frequent symptoms of arthritis are joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Your range of motion may also be limited, and the skin around the joint may become inflamed. Many arthritis sufferers report that their symptoms are exacerbated in the morning.

Due to the inflammation caused by the immune system’s activities, you may feel weary or lose appetite if you have RA. 

You could also become anemic, which means your red blood cell count drops, or get a mild fever. If left untreated, severe RA can lead to joint deformities.

Causes of Arthritis

In your joints, cartilage is a tough but flexible connective tissue. It protects your joints by cushioning the pressure and shock that comes with moving and stressing them. Arthritis is caused by a decrease in the typical amount of cartilage tissue.

One of the most frequent types of arthritis is OA, which is caused by normal wear and tear. A joint infection or injury can hasten the natural degradation of cartilage tissue. If you have a family history of OA, your chances of developing it are increased.

The autoimmune condition RA is another common kind of arthritis. It happens when your immune system targets your body’s tissues. The synovium, soft tissue in your joints that creates a fluid that nourishes and lubricates the joints, is affected by these attacks.

Treatment of Arthritis

The main goal of treatment is to lessen the amount of discomfort you’re in while also preventing further joint deterioration. You’ll figure out what works best for you in terms of pain management. Heating pads and cold packs are calming to some people. Others utilize mobility aids such as canes or walkers to relieve pressure on their aching joints.

It’s also crucial to improve your joint function. To achieve the best outcomes, your doctor may suggest a combination of therapy options.

Medication

Arthritis is treated with a variety of medications, including:

  • Analgesics like hydrocodone (Vicodin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are good for pain relief but not for reducing inflammation.
  • NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and salicylates, serve to manage pain and inflammation. Because salicylates can thin the blood, they should be used with caution when combined with other blood thinners.
  • Creams containing menthol or capsaicin stop pain impulses from reaching your brain.
  • Prednisone and cortisone are immunosuppressants that help to lessen inflammation.

Surgery

It’s possible that you’ll need surgery to replace your joint with an artificial one. Hips and knees are the most usual replacements for this type of surgery.

Your doctor may recommend a joint fusion if your arthritis is particularly severe in your fingers or wrists. The ends of your bones are cemented together in this operation until they heal and become one.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy, which includes exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the afflicted joint, is an important part of arthritis treatment.

Medical Marijuana As An Alternative Treatment

Many individuals feel that medical marijuana, or cannabis leaves, can help with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because studies show that it reduces pain and inflammation while also improving sleep.

Patients with RA who used medical marijuana had much less pain when moving, resting, and sleeping than those who took a placebo, according to a study published in the journal Rheumatology. The changes between the 58 patients tested over the course of five weeks were tiny but substantial, according to the researchers.

The active element in medical marijuana, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for its potential effectiveness (THC). It has been shown in several trials to have anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to delay the course of RA.

Visit TeleLeaf.com today if you want to learn more about how medical marijuana can assist with your arthritis and see if you qualify.

+ posts

Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.