Medical Marijuana For Ulcerative Colitis Patients In Arkansas

Does Ulcerative Colitis Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Arkansas?

Around 1.7 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases, which includes both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.  Ulcerative Colitis is the more common of the two conditions, with roughly 1 million Americans having the condition and over 8,000 Arkansas residents. Many people with inflammatory bowel diseases experience a lower quality of life and lower levels of productivity. It can affect wellbeing and relationships. If you’re one of these people, know that you have options and resources for managing your condition.

 

In the United States, cannabis use is legalized state-to-state for the medical treatment of several chronic, debilitating disorders. Luckily, patients in Arkansas with ulcerative colitis can now explore the potential of medical marijuana treatment in alleviating their symptoms and improving their overall quality of life.

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Medical Marijuana and Ulcerative Colitis

Medical cannabis has been used medicinally for centuries to treat a broad range of diseases and ailments. The cannabinoids exert their effects on the body by binding with specialized structures on the surface of different cells. These endocannabinoid receptors are present throughout the body but are especially prevalent in the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis that medical marijuana can help alleviate include:

 

• Inflammation

• Pain

• Reduced appetite

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

 

One study, published in 2016 in the journal Gastroenterology and Hepatology, reported that typical patient motives for using medical marijuana in treating ulcerative colitis include the ineffectiveness of other therapies, fewer side effects and getting to feel a sense of control over their condition. Another study, published in the Journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, found that among 292 survey participants, 16.4% of current and past users of marijuana reported feeling as though marijuana was “very helpful” in relieving their abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. This suggests that a significant number of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis, use or have used marijuana for the purposes of symptom control.

 

Before venturing into the field of medical marijuana, you should definitely consult with a health professional if you’re interested in finding out more about how it can help relieve your ulcerative colitis symptoms. Give us a call or send us a message if you’d like to know more about your options.

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Get Medical Marijuana In Arkansas With Arkansas Marijuana Card

Arkansas Marijuana Card has doctor offices throughout the State of Arkansas that specialize in helping qualifying patients access medical marijuana. If you’re interested in discussing whether medical marijuana is right for you, we're here to help you every step of the way. Give us a call, or schedule an appointment online for more information. You can also check out our frequently asked questions page.