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Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Treatment through Cannabis!

Home » Arthritis Symptoms, Causes, Types and Treatment
Garry Stewart
Written By Shasta Wilson

April 18, 2023

Arthritis symptoms, causes and treatment blog image

Arthritis refers to joint inflammation.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from arthritis, which can cause a variety of problems, including persistent pain and decreased movement. Cannabis has become known as a viable treatment option for arthritis symptoms, and there has been an increase in interest in alternative therapies in recent years. As we dig more into this subject, we’ll talk about what arthritis is, the different kinds of it, and how cannabis, with its potentially management effects. Come along on this adventure to learn about the possible benefits of cannabis for the treatment of arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a disease that majorly affects the joints and their functioning.

Joint inflammation, which can be either acute (short) or chronic (long-lasting), is the characteristic of Arthritis. A variety of symptoms, including pain, stiffness, decreased joint mobility, as well as changes in the joint’s appearance, can often be brought on by this inflammation. There are multiple types of arthritis, and each one needs to be treated differently. It’s critical to identify the type of arthritis, which is frequently done by combining a physical examination with a history taking. To confirm the diagnosis, more testing such as imaging and laboratory work may be required under specific circumstances.

It is the most common in the following areas of the body:

  • Hands
  • Feet
  • Knees
  • Hips
  • Lower Back

Different Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is a term or disease that generally describes more than 100 diverse joint conditions. The common arthritis types include:

  • Osteoarthritis
    Osteoarthritis, is the most common type, develops from wear-and-tear damage to joint cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness as bones rub together. Factors like injuries or infections can speed this process, also causing inflammation and swelling if cartilage is severely affected.
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
    Ankylosing Spondylitis is the Arthritis of the spine that generally covers the lower back.
  • Gout
    Gout refers to a disease that leads to uric acid’s hard crystals forming in the joints.
  • Juvenile Arthritis
    Juvenile Arthritis refers to a disorder where the person’s immune system attacks the tissues around the joint. It usually affects children of 16 years or even younger.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease that generally causes the immune system to attack synovial membranes in the joints.
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
    Psoriatic Arthritis refers to a joint inflammation that generally develops in people with an autoimmune disorder that leads to skin irritation.

Causes of Arthritis

There are no specific causes for Arthritis. However there are some risk factors that could lead to Arthritis including:-

  • Lifestyle
    Lack of exercise or smoking can increase the risk of disease.
  • Age
    The risk of disease increases as a person gets older.
  • Weight
    Obesity generally puts extra strain on the joints that can eventually lead to Arthritis.
  • Sex
    Arthritis are more commonly seen in female in comparison to male.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Different types of Arthritis have diverse symptoms. Some patients might experience mild symptoms, while others may experience severe symptoms.

Even the joint discomfort may stay constant in some while others might experience the discomfort come and go. The common symptoms may include

  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Warmth
  • Tenderness

Diagnosis of Arthritis

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, then you must see the doctor as soon as possible. And the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination to make the diagnosis of the disease.

The tests may include

  • Assessing range and mobility of motion in the joints
  • Checking for the areas of swelling and tenderness around the joints
  • Evaluating the overall health to find out if the different health conditions could be causing the symptoms

Can Imaging Examinations Help?

Well, yes! It can help your medical doctor to get a clear picture of the joints, bones, and soft tissues. An ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI can help reveal

  • Dislocations or bone fractures may be the reason for the joint pain
  • Ligament, muscle, or tendon injuries near joints
  • Cartilage breakdown around the joints
  • Soft tissues inflammation

Can Cannabis Help Treat Arthritis?

While medical cannabis cannot cure arthritis, it has shown promise in alleviating symptoms. Some cannabis companies claiming to treat arthritis have received warning letters from the FDA and Federal Trade Commission.
Research suggests that cannabis, particularly the cannabinoid CBD, has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce arthritis pain. A 2020 study found that CBD could decrease the production of molecules contributing to cartilage breakdown in rheumatoid arthritis. Though high-quality studies in humans are limited, anecdotal evidence and animal studies support the use of cannabis for easing arthritis symptoms.

Arthritis Treatment

Though there is no cure for the disease still the treatments can help you manage the health condition. However, the treatment will completely depend on the severity of the disease, symptoms, and overall health.

The treatments may include

  • Medications
    Pain management and anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve the disease symptoms. Several biologics target the immune system’s inflammatory response.
  • Physical therapies
    Rehabilitation can help boost strength, motion range, and overall mobility. Physical therapies can help you adjust to daily activities to lessen the pains.
  • Therapeutic Injections
    Cortisone Shots can help temporarily relieve the inflammation and pain in the joints.

Severe cases may require surgical treatments. These surgical treatments may include fusion or joint replacements to treat the health condition and reduce the pain.

Arthritis Prevention

You can lower the risk of developing a health condition by adapting a few essentials. This includes:

  • Avoid tobacco products
  • Maintain a healthy body weight
  • Perform low impact and non-weight bearing exercises
  • Reduce the risk of joint injuries

Bottom Line!

Since there is no cure for the health conditions, people with the disease need to manage the health condition for the rest of their lives. This is the reason why people are looking out for natural remedies including medical cannabis to deal with the Arthritis. And if you are one of those individuals suffering from Arthritis and looking for professional help to get medical cannabis then my MMJ Doctor is the right platform to get help and easy way to get your own medical cannabis card. This way you can easily get your medical cannabis to not only manage Arthritis but also the other mental health issues that comes with it.

Therefore, from getting the potent medications to counting on the natural alternatives, people are managing well and finding escape from the health condition.

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