Can Medical Marijuana Heal Ulcers?
Peptic ulcers are open sores on the upper parts of your small intestines and the stomach lining. Most ulcers occur in the inner layer of the duodenum or stomach. Sometimes, the hole may go all the way through, a condition known as a perforation, which requires immediate medical attention. Did you know that you can take medical cannabis for ulcers?
Ulcers are a very painful yet common health condition for many people. Over the years, treatments have been expanding to include a wide range of medicines. Nowadays, thanks to changing laws in many jurisdictions, doctors can now add medical cannabis to their arsenal to help eliminate symptoms of a wide range of ailments, including ulcers.
Causes of Ulcers
Some of the factors that can increase your risk for ulcers include:
- Smoking cigarettes.
- Drinking too much alcohol.
- Regular use of aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medication.
- Chewing tobacco.
According to many people, stress can cause ulcers as well. However, it is not clear if everyday stress can cause peptic ulcers.
Medical Cannabis for Ulcers
Medical research is still in its initial stages when it comes to determining how well cannabis works for treating this condition. Preliminary results, however, are quite promising. Through its ability to reduce pain and action on stomach acid, cannabis could help improve certain stomach conditions, including ulcers. Ulcers can cause you a lot of discomfort for several weeks while they heal. Fortunately, cannabis can help reduce the pain in your gut.
A small ulcer may not cause you any discomfort. However, a larger ulcer can cause a variety of symptoms such as abdominal pain, serious bleeding, an empty feeling in the stomach, and an inability to drink much fluid. Other symptoms include chest pain, weight loss, mild nausea, vomiting, fatigue, bloody stools, and pain in the upper abdomen.
Benefits of Using Medical Cannabis for Ulcers
It would help if you discovered how medical marijuana could help you get relief from your ulcers. It is especially important if you want to replace or add to your current regime. The first thing you need to do is talk to a licensed medical marijuana doctor about your condition. After analyzing your ailment and reviewing your medical records, the doctor will tell you whether medical marijuana therapy is right for you.
According to some studies, smoking cannabis can lead to a reduction in stomach acid production. This will allow for your stomach ulcers to heal naturally with less pain and less irritation. Marijuana also plays an important role in reducing pain and nausea, which are common symptoms of peptic ulcers. Animal studies suggest that cannabinoids can offer protection to the digestive system against the ill effects of inflammation and stomach acid.
Human studies are still pending; however, these animal studies seem to show a lot of promise. A certified medical marijuana doctor will help you decide whether medical marijuana can help with your ulcers. You need to understand that every medical case, including ulcers, is different. Your current condition and health history will factor into how your doctor chooses to treat you.
To use medical marijuana to deal with your condition, you will need a licensed doctor’s recommendation. Therefore, do not be afraid to ask any question you might have about this alternative. If you are looking for smoking devices such as vaporizers, there are many online head shops that deliver straight to your home.
