Arthritis is more prevalent in older people and those who live a sedentary lifestyle. Arthritis pain causes inflammation of the joints, which can lead to poor mobility, swelling and other symptoms that are difficult to treat. In order to avoid this painful chronic condition, you should start taking small steps now to get moving and avoid these symptoms. A recent study found that cannabis could be used as a complementary treatment for arthritis pain relief by balancing out the body’s endocannabinoid system. Here are some ways cannabis could help with arthritis relief.
What Exactly is Arthritis?
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America, affecting 44 million adults. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis typically affects the hands, feet, spine, hips or knees. This form of arthritis can be genetic or come from injury to the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your body’s tissue. As a result, it typically affects both sides of the body and typically only affects one joint at a time. This form of arthritis is also linked with other autoimmune disorders like lupus or multiple sclerosis.
Causes of Arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic condition in which the joints become inflamed and can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of mobility. One of the main causes of arthritis is overuse or overexertion of the joint.
Overexerting any part of your body will eventually lead to inflammation. If you don’t take time to rest and recover, your body will start to show signs of wear and tear. While it’s always important to drink plenty of water and make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night, there are other lifestyle changes you can make to help alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Symptoms and Complications of Arthritis
The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a common form of the disease that affects joints, including those in the hands, feet, shoulders, hips or spine. The symptoms of this type of arthritis include joint pain and stiffness, as well as limited mobility. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can re-occur throughout a person’s lifetime. This type of arthritis often starts with joint pain and swelling in the small joints in hands and feet before it becomes more widespread. Symptoms can also include fever, fatigue, weight loss and an unusual response to cold temperatures.
Cannabis for arthritis pain relief
Cannabis is an effective pain relief option for arthritis sufferers. Researchers found that cannabis can produce an anti-inflammatory effect, which reduces the progression of arthritis, and also promotes bone growth.
Beyond pain relief, cannabis can help with other symptoms caused by arthritis like depression and anxiety. Cannabis has the ability to alter the brain’s emotional state and mood, which can help with emotional symptoms that are often associated with arthritis.
Applying cannabis topically as a cream or lotion is another way it can be used as a complementary treatment for arthritic pain relief. Some topical treatments will provide analgesic properties while others will not have any effects on your central nervous system.
Cannabis doesn’t cure arthritis but there are many ways it could be used to help with symptoms and pain management for people living with this chronic condition.
Conclusion
Cannabis for arthritis pain relief is not a new or novel idea. In fact, cannabis has been used to treat various types of pain for thousands of years. It’s no surprise that as cannabis becomes more and more accepted, people are beginning to find the relief they need from arthritis pain. Cannabis for arthritis pain relief can be an effective treatment, but it’s important to understand what you’re getting yourself into and what cannabis can and can’t do.
As always, consulting with a doctor is the best way to understand your options and see if cannabis might be a good fit for you or your loved one. You can purchase cannabis from WTFCannabis.co.
