Saturday, June 24, 2017

Can Cannabis Help With Type 2 Diabetes?

Did you know that there are currently about 34.2 million Americans that have been diagnosed with diabetes? There is a reason that this disease is called the silent killer - the scary part is that it often does not get diagnosed until it is in its later stages of development. 






Also, it is true that diabetes mimics other diseases, so it is not uncommon for a patient with diabetes to be diagnosed with a different disease at first. The good news for patients with diabetes is that they may be able to use cannabis to help treat their condition and symptoms. Recently, there has been a greater push for the use of medical marijuana as an alternative method of treatment throughout the United States. 


Research has begun to show that cannabis can be a great health benefit for people undergoing certain conditions and ailments. If you have been struggling with type 2 diabetes, then it may be worth looking into using medical marijuana as a treatment option. There are currently about 39 states in the United States that have legalized the use of medical marijuana, and many of those (even the more restrictive ones) have diabetes listed as a qualifying condition on the program. 





This means that it is legal for a patient with that condition to apply for and obtain a medical marijuana card. This may be a great option for you if you have diabetes and feel like you are out of options when it comes to your treatment options. 


First, it is important to keep in mind the different types of diabetes that exist, and then we can talk about how medical marijuana can actually treat these conditions. There are three different types of diabetic conditions - gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes.


Of all of these disorders, type 2 diabetes is the most common according to a study done by the University of Iowa. Most distressingly, about 1 in 3 Americans in the United States have pre-diabetes. So what are the symptoms of diabetes, and how does cannabis actually help it? 





Well, one of the first symptoms that many people with diabetes notice is having a dry mouth and an unquenchable thirst. This happens when your body knows that your blood sugar levels are getting high, and its natural response is to drink water to try and flush some of it out. Isn’t it crazy the things that our bodies are capable of? 


Another common symptom of diabetes is chronic fatigue. Feeling tired from time to time is normal, but people struggling with diabetes experience exhaustion every second of the day, even if they are getting enough sleep at night. One of the ways that using medical marijuana can help diabetes patients is giving them a bigger burst of energy than something like caffeine.


Not only does cannabis help manage pain and discomfort, but it also can create an energy-inducing and uplifting high. This can make all the difference for someone who is struggling everyday with the symptoms of their diabetes. 



Another symptom that people with diabetes have to deal with is called neuropathy. If you have never heard of this before, basically just imagine a million little knives pricking your feet and legs all day. Neuropathy can be caused by lower temperatures and frequent urination, combined with low sleep quality.


Medical marijuana can be a great way for patients dealing with neuropathy to find relief from their pain. Many diabetes patients also experience worsening pain at night which makes it harder to sleep. Medical grade cannabis can mean all the difference to these people.