Cannabis For Managing Pain Caused By Sickle Cell Disease
How Does Medical Marijuana Help with Sickle Cell Anemia? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a condition of the blood which affects around 10,000 Americans, the majority of which are African-American.
Patients of SCD experience numerous other symptoms although they vary from person to person. Sickle cells easily break and die and this causes a shortage of red blood cells. In a healthy person, red blood cells can survive for around 120 days before they are replaced, but sickle cells die off after 10 to 20 days causing a shortage of red blood cells or what we know of as anemia. When the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells, there isn’t enough oxygen throughout the body and this causes severe fatigue.
Period episodes of intense pain, which are also referred to as crises, are common in patients of SCD. The sickle-shaped red blood cells constricts the flow of blood to joints, bone, abdomen, and the chest; and this is what causes pain. Episodes of pain can last anywhere from a few hours up to as long as several weeks, leaving patients incapacitated and unable to do. Some patients are lucky enough to experience SCD-related pain only a few times a year while for others the chronic pain is too intense and requires hospitalization.
Other common symptoms of SCD include swelling in the hands and feet, constant infections, eyesight problems, and delayed growth.
Today the only known treatment for SCD is stem cell transplant, or bone marrow transplant which is only recommended for patients who are below 16. The process is painful and is only possible if doctors can find a matched donor. Older patients are at risk for more complications, which is why this form of treatment isn’t recommended. Medications are also commonly prescribed and blood transfusions are common. Many patients resort to over-the-counter medications and painkillers, which have terrible side effects.
But how can cannabis help?
Cannabis offers a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic benefits that can help give SCD patients a better quality of life. Cannabis is known for its antidepressant properties and mood-lifting characteristics, which can help ease the emotional and mental issues that come with being diagnosed with SCD. Additionally, cannabis is also a potent natural analgesic and can help patients manage the debilitating pain that comes with SCD without the side effects of prescription medications and opioids.
In 2005, a study was carried out wherein 86 patients, all hospitalized and diagnosed with SCD, participated. 36% of the participants said that they used cannabis in the past to help deal with the symptoms of SCD and among these, 52% said they used it for pain relief and 39% said it helped reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
Georgia was also the first state to include SCD as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.
While we do need more evidence and studies carried out on SCD, there is already significant anecdotal evidence in the market that cannabis helps play a role in managing the debilitating symptoms of SCD.
Do you or a loved one use cannabis to help manage the symptoms of SCD? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
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