The National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports the rights of people with MS to access cannabis for medical purposes because the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) released a summary of evidence-based guidelines that suggest that Cannabis can be effective for reducing patient-reported symptoms of spasticity and pain.
Medical marijuana is changing the social attitudes of patients with MS who are seeking non – mainstream treatment options.
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine showed that marijuana use was more prevalent among patients with MS compared with the control group.
If you’re seeking to use medical cannabis as an alternative option for your anxiety, you can apply for a medical marijuana card.
Visit TeleLeaf’s Louisiana page and schedule a virtual appointment to learn more about the process of getting a recommendation from a licensed cannabis doctor and the application.
Surveys show that many people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis already use medical marijuana. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports the use of medical marijuana for people with MS in some instances and where it is lawful.
Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease in young adults. It afflicts more than 350,000 people in the United States.
In clinical trials of smoked cannabis, patients with MS experienced pain intensity that decreased by at least 30% for all participants.
The American Academy of Neurology found strong evidence to support the use of cannabis-based treatments for MS-related muscle problems. The review found that oral cannabis extract does help with muscle spasms.
Multiple Sclerosis is a common nervous system disease that can affect the brain and spinal cord. It is a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can also be mild.
1. Relapsing-remitting MS
Patients with this type of MS develop symptoms that respond to treatments and then resolve. These episodes may last weeks to years.
2. Primary Progressive MS
In primary progressive MS, symptoms gradually worsen and accumulate over several years. There are no periods of remission, but there are times when people experience periods where their condition appears to stabilize.
Since MS is an autoimmune disease, this means that your body’s defense system attacks your nervous system by mistake. Hard scars called sclerosis are formed that interfere with nerve signals.
Mental health issues, like excessive stress, can aggravate the symptoms of MS because it can lead to an increase in hormones such as adrenaline and glucocorticoids that negatively impact the immune system.
According to patients who suffer from MS, the most bothersome symptoms are the mental ones. These cognitive changes affect up to three-fourths of people with MS because the changes make it harder for them to think clearly and quickly.
Patients who experience the “MS hug”, which is an awful flare, can possibly be hospitalized because they feel like their chest is being crushed, causing shortness of breath.
MS can cause these challenges and learning how to manage the symptoms can make life easier for patients.
Currently, there is no cure for MS. The quest for its cure is still ongoing. However, there are good treatment options.
At the moment, most treatments for multiple sclerosis are individualized based on the symptoms of the patient. It would often involve controlling muscle spasms, managing bladder control, and other symptoms like weakness and fatigue.
Patients are also frequently prescribed medications to help control the immune system. A dose of steroids is given to help reduce the length of flares.
MayoClinic noted studies on the use of cannabis and multiple sclerosis that resulted in these outcomes:
In addition, an overview presented at the 5th Cooperative Meeting of the Consortium of MS Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in MS reported that cannabis may be a safe and effective therapy for pain and spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis.
People who have used medical marijuana claimed that it was the side effects and lack of effectiveness from the medications that led them to try the alternative medication in the first place.
Studies and clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of the use of medical marijuana to manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
If you want to get a recommendation for medical marijuana in Louisiana, TeleLeaf can help you get started. Start your medical cannabis journey. Contact us today!
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