Medical Cannabis Treatment for Patients with Diabetes
When the body’s pancreas is unable to generate insulin properly, blood sugar levels or glucose levels drop and diabetes develops. Diabetes affects people worldwide, though it can manifest itself differently in different places. The condition is split into two categories: type 1 and type 2. Other than diabetes 1 and 2, prediabetes and gestational diabetes also exist. Diet and exercise are used to regulate the disease, which is directly affected by the quantity of sugar consumed and broken down from meals
According to the American Diabetes Association, up to 10.5 percent of Americans (around 34.2 million people) suffer from Type 1 diabetes, with around 1.6 million being diagnosed as having this type of diabetes. Additionally, according to the ADA, there were 187,000 children and adolescents newly diagnosed with diabetes in 2018. The good news is that medical cannabis has been shown to aid with the prevention and treatment of diabetes in certain jurisdictions, bringing it one step closer to becoming legal. According to the state’s condition list, medical cannabis can help reduce blood pressure and circulation as well as alleviate nerve pain.
Diabetes Types, Signs, and Symptoms
Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, and those who suffer from it are at a considerably higher risk for heart disease and stroke, according to WebMD. This form of diabetes usually develops in young adulthood. Type 2 diabetes is less invasive and far more prevalent than type 1, affecting up to 90% of people diagnosed with the condition.
Those with type 2 diabetes must eat a nutritious diet and exercise to regulate blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetics use insulin injections to keep their blood sugar levels in check, as opposed to type 1 diabetics, who require insulin treatment. Before diabetes is diagnosed, prediabetes, when blood sugar levels are high but not yet in the diabetic.
Type 1 and 2 diabetes have the same symptoms, such as hunger, tiredness, frequent thirst, and peeing frequently; however, type 2 can also induce yeast infections, slow wound healing, numbness in hands or feet, and pain. Medical marijuana has been shown to help improve the symptoms of type 1 and 2 diabetes. Medical Marijuana doctors can help you find the perfect strain for your needs.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels in the body by allowing glucose to be absorbed from food or drink. In addition to diet and exercise, giving insulin to diabetic patients is critical for maintaining their condition in check. While injections have traditionally been used as the primary method, taking pills or inhaling medications can also effectively treat it.
Diabetes and Cannabinoids
A study published in the Journal of Pain in 2015 found that inhaled cannabis is effective for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients, who reported better pain relief than those who did not receive THC.
The study claims that our short-term, single session, crossover research discovered a dose-related reduction in pain intensity in DPN patients. “Overall, our finding of an analgesic effect of cannabis is consistent with other trials of cannabis in various neuropathic pain syndromes,” according to the research.
In 2019, Medscape claimed that medical cannabis was being used to treat diabetic pain without a doctor’s prescription. People with diabetes who wish to use or are already users have been comparing notes on forums such as Reddit.com, according to the medical news source. The University of Colorado Professor Angela Bryan told Medscape about the strong evidence for medicinal cannabis improving health.
“What we do know is that cannabis users have lower body weight, less type 2 diabetes, lower rates of metabolic disease, and better insulin function, based on the epidemiological data,” she said. Medical cannabis will undoubtedly help millions of people who suffer from diabetes by alleviating their symptoms, providing a new form of relief to those who suffer from it. You can check here to see if you qualify for medical marijuana.