Arthritis is a joint problem that is very common among adults. There are several other kinds of arthropathies, counting CPPD, gout, infectious, and many inflammatory and neurologic types.

Weed or marijuana has over 540 chemical compounds, counting more than 100 active chemicals (cannabinoids). These active chemicals are found in weed plants only. CBD and THC are the two most plentiful cannabinoids.

A large number of folks anecdotally report weed aiding them in easing their pain from arthritis. However, a majority of the clinical proof until now arrives from laboratory or animal research. The researchers and scientists are persisting to test the prospective benefits of marijuana to treat pain and other ailments like insomnia and anxiety.

Main Types of Arthritis

1. Rheumatoid arthritis

In this type of arthritis, the immune system fights off the lining of the joint capsule. This lining turns out to be swollen and reddened. The ailment process can ultimately damage cartilage and bone in the joint.

2. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent arthritis that entails wearing away damage to the cartilage of a joint. Cartilage cushions the bones’ ends and enables almost frictionless joint motion. However, abundant damage can cause bone-crushing straight on the bone, leading to pain and limited movement. This wearing away can take place with time, or it can be rushed by a joint infection or injury.

This type of arthritis too leads to changes in the bones and wear and tear of the connecting tissues that connect bone to muscle. If cartilage within a joint is seriously harmed, then the lining of the joint might turned out to be swollen or inflamed.

Other Types of Arthritis

1. Reactive Arthritis

Reactive Arthritis takes place while the defence mechanism of the body does not function appropriately. It impacts the bones and joints, usually joints of the feet and hands, and might affect inner organs, too. The sufferer might feel ill or fatigued and may undergo a fever.

2. Childhood Arthritis

This type of arthritis occurs in kids. It is a result of the inflammation of the joints. It can lead to lasting physical damage to their joints. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common childhood arthritis.  

3. Gout

This arthritis results from the crystals that build up within the joints. It often impacts the toe joints, the knee, and the ankle. This is more widespread in men and obese persons with diabetes and a drinking problem.

4. Psoriatic arthritis  

Psoriatic arthritis can take place in individuals with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that leads to scaly red and white patches on the skin. This type of arthritis impacts the joints, skin plus the spots where tissues are connected to the bone.

5. Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis affects the spinal cord. This generally causes heat, swelling, pain, and redness within the spinal cord or the joint where the end of the spinal cord is connected to the pelvic bone.

Arthritis Signs and Symptoms

1.     Weight loss
2.     Rashes
3.     Difficulty in moving around
4.     Pain, heat, swelling, and redness within the joints
5.     Trouble breathing
6. Fever

What Leads To Arthritis?

There are different causes for various types of arthritis. For example, gout is caused by excessive uric acid within the body. However, for other arthritis types, the actual cause is yet to be discovered. One is likely to develop arthritis if they are undergoing any autoimmune diseases, or viral infections, or have a family antiquity of arthritis.

Diagnosing Arthritis

Checking with your local doctor is what you must consider in the first place if you are not certain who to visit for diagnosing arthritis. The practitioners will do a physical test to check for red joints, warm joints, or fluid around the joints. They can even refer you to a specialist if required.

In case you are feeling serious arthritis signs, you can decide to fix a meeting with a rheumatologist initially. This might result in a quicker analysis and treatment.

Verifying the degrees of inflammation within the blood and aspirating and diagnosing fluid in joints, if shows, can aid the practitioner in figuring out the type of arthritis you are suffering from.

Blood Test for Diagnosing Arthritis

No blood test can straightway diagnose the condition of arthritis. However, if your doctor suspects rheumatoid arthritis or gout, then they might request blood work. It seeks inflammatory proteins or uric acid.

About Marijuana for Arthritis

Medicinal marijuana is a marijuana product that is employed for the treatment of various chronic ailments, including arthritis. Many take this herb for the treatment of chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, PTSD, etc. But, the FDA has not yet given the approval to medicinal marijuana to cure any of these ailments.

A lot of patients who use marijuana medications take CBD or any other marijuana product that comprises some to no THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Since THC have medicinal claims, it is intoxicating, too, and so it is the key component for the recreational effects of marijuana.

Currently, the sole CBD product FDA-approved for curing a certain medical ailment is Epidolex. This product is approved for curing a couple of uncommon types of epilepsy, which are Dravet syndrome, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

CBD for Lowering Arthritis Pain

THC can work together with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, letting it control the systems liable for pain sensitivity and immune responses. This makes it more potent for varying pain sensitivity and lessen inflammation within the body.

In case you’re worried about THC’s psychoactive effects, it is a workable alternative for centring on the treatment of your arthritis pain using CBD only.

CBD just counteracts the negative side effects of THC, for example, anxiety, while combined. In addition, it can alleviate pain sensitivity and benefits with anti-inflammatory properties.

The Best Ways to Take Medicinal Marijuana for Arthritis

Marijuana or weed can be inhaled, ingested or applied topically. The products having marijuana are available in various forms. For example: vapes, edibles, pills, capsules, creams, lotions, oils, etc.

There has been some research scrutinizing which types of marijuana products are most helpful for pain management. In a 2013 study, investigators matched the effects of smoked marijuana with 3.56 % THC to 20 mg of dronabinol taken by mouth for reducing soreness. The investigators came across that both products reduced pain sensitivity than a placebo. However, the dronabinol effects stayed for an extended period.

While using marijuana products, it is better to get started with a lower dose. The effects of orally consumed marijuana might take longer prior to they hit their optimal effect. As per a review of researches, you need to begin with a low dosage and adapt as you are aware of how the body responds.

The time when you feel the most pain reprieve with the least side effects is the ideal dosage, undoubtedly.

Still, there are some who may experience intoxication with even 2.5 mg of THC. Each individual’s response to weed is not the same and depends on various things, including heredities, forbearance, metabolism, and experience.

Shot-Term Side Effects of Medicinal Cannabis You Should Know

Medical cannabis side effects are dose-dependent. It implies that they are more expected to take place if you take large doses. They are more expected to crop up in those who are new at taking marijuana.

Here are the short-term side effects of cannabis:

1.     Fatigue
2.     Delusions
3.     Confusion
4.     Fear
5.     Dry mouth
6.     Paranoia
7.     Coordination problems
8.     Poor memory
9.     Anxiety
10. Hallucinations

Taking cannabis via smoking can too cause lots of similar issues because smoking tobacco can lead to irritation and inflammation in the lungs.

Loads of readily available products are mislabelled and can incorporate components that are not on the label or components in lower or higher quantities.

Where Should We Get Medical Cannabis?

Depending on where you live, you might have to purchase cannabis medication or cannabis products at particular medical stores or dispensaries from licensed sellers. Your medical practitioner may have to confirm that you are undergoing a medical problem that might aid with cannabis. Medicinal cannabis comes in a variety of forms, such as nasal sprays, pills/tablets, tinctures, prepared foods, and so on.

There are states where cannabis is sold at several all-natural food shops and online. This drug can also be taken orally as oil or extracts.