How Does Medical Marijuana Help Patients Who Suffer from Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain can be crippling, affecting every aspect of a person’s life. According to a nationwide survey, 81% of Americans suffer from some level of abdominal pain, and it accounts for 5% of emergency room visits. There are many possible reasons why a person may experience pain in their abdomen, ranging from mild to severe; however, for chronic sufferers, finding lasting relief can be elusive. Medical marijuana is quickly becoming an effective and lasting solution to acute abdominal pain, providing relief without the harmful side effects associated with most prescription medications. Let’s explore how it can help relieve symptoms and provide much-needed relief to those who suffer from abdominal pain.
Understanding the Causes of Abdominal Pain
Before we can address how medical marijuana aids in abdominal pain relief, it’s important to understand what causes it in the first place. There’s a wide range of possible issues that can be responsible, but they generally fall under three categories: inflammation, digestive issues, and reproductive issues.
Inflammation
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 8 in every 1,000 people suffer from abdominal inflammation called acute gastritis.
This painful condition affects the lining of the stomach and can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Along with gastritis, other culprits of abdominal inflammation include inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
Digestive Issues
Digestive issues like lactose intolerance, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome can cause abdominal pain. Most of the symptoms associated with these issues are easily treatable by avoiding certain foods and increasing fiber and water intake.
Reproductive Issues
Reproductive issues in women can also cause abdominal pain. Inflammation of reproductive organs, ovulation, and menstrual cramps are some of the most common reasons for the condition.
How Medical Marijuana Helps Abdominal Pain
Medical marijuana can provide relief for abdominal pain caused by a variety of the ailments above.
Inflammation Relief
A study published in PubMed showed that 90% of participants using medical marijuana for abdominal pain management due to Inflammatory Bowel Disease found relief from their symptoms. It’s believed this is partly due to its analgesic effects, which can offer potent pain relief for chronic symptoms. However, it doesn’t stop there. The study showed that cannabis may act as a protectant for the bowels by helping regulate the permeability of the gut epithelial, reducing sensitivity. Another report showed cannabis use over time led to noticeable IBD-related symptom improvement, weight gain, and a decrease in alternative medication usage.
In regards to abdominal inflammation in general, medical marijuana can be a powerful treatment due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties. One of the primary ways cannabinoids aid in suppressing inflammation is by inducing cell death, also called apoptosis, in the body’s immune cell populations. This process is required for homeostasis, but when it no longer functions properly, the tissues become swollen or inflamed. Cannabis is shown to induce apoptosis in immune cells, which is good while protecting against it in nontransformed cells, which can cause an autoimmune response.
When inflammation is present, suppressing these cells can help prevent tissue injury and protect against further damage. Data indicates that when abdominal inflammation occurs, the number of functional CB1 receptors increases, acting as a protectant for the tissue. In some, these receptors fail to react, which stops the body from fighting the inflammation as it occurs. Medical marijuana can aid the endogenous cannabinoid system in the body to act as a barrier and protect internal abdominal organs from damage.
Digestive Issue Relief
Cannabis has many aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, also called cannabinoids, which are shown to exert biological functions on the body’s GI tract. The endocannabinoid system acts as a protective barrier for numerous digestive conditions, helping relieve symptoms like weight loss, chronic abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Furthermore, studies show cannabinoids can improve visceral hypersensitivity and poor digestive motility, two of the most common culprits for abdominal pain. By alleviating these underlying issues, the user can find relief from a host of symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloat, and overall abdominal discomfort.
Reproductive Issue Relief
While ongoing studies are needed for the effects of medical marijuana on certain reproductive problems, it is known to help with the pain associated with a variety of common issues. Cannabis is a powerful pain reliever, with a study showing chronic pain sufferers decreased their opioid use by 64% when using it as a pain relief supplement. For many reproductive issues like endometriosis, uterine fibroid, and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, sufferers can find relief from painful symptoms without the harmful side effects of chemical-filled medications.
It can also help fight inflammation that exacerbates painful symptoms in the abdomen and pelvic regions. Medical marijuana can also effectively help treat pain and other symptoms like vomiting and nausea associated with Dysmenorrhea and severe pain due to menstrual periods. Studies show it does this by helping with myometrial relaxation by lessening uterine contractions.
Medical marijuana offers powerful symptom relief for a host of abdominal issues causing pain and discomfort. While it targets symptoms, it goes further by reducing inflammation and working with the body’s biological systems to aid in proper functionality for longer-lasting relief. While further research is needed, current studies are promising on the benefits medical marijuana offers without the harmful complications associated with many medications.
Charlotte MD is North Carolina’s premier medical marijuana doctor. Our professional team of healthcare providers offers in-person evaluations with licensed doctors to determine your medical marijuana qualifications. We’ve served North Carolinians since 2016, helping over 25,000 patients get the relief they deserve. Once you’re approved by one of our doctors, you’ll receive your medical marijuana certification and can use it at any state-regulated dispensary. Stop suffering from chronic pain and harmful side effects; contact Charlotte MD and see how medical marijuana can transform your life and help you live pain-free.
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