Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term neurological disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, which are all part of the central nervous system.
The immune system attacking the protective myelin layer that covers nerve fibers results in communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Multiple sclerosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, such as muscle spasms, weakness, balance and coordination problems, trouble seeing, and more.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that more than 20,000 residents of New York State are MS sufferers. Between the ages of 20 and 50, the illness is most frequently diagnosed, and women are around two-to-three times more likely than men to receive the diagnosis.
Although multiple sclerosis does not presently have a cure, some medicines can help control symptoms and enhance the quality of life. Medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and, in some circumstances, medicinal marijuana may be among them.
Since 2014, New York has approved medicinal marijuana for the treatment of several illnesses, including multiple sclerosis. If you live in New York and have been told you have MS, you may be qualified to apply for a medical marijuana card in New York so you can use cannabis as a therapy.
MS and Medical Marijuana Considerations
Due to its capacity to alleviate symptoms including chronic pain, spasticity, neuropathy, and tremors in MS patients, medical marijuana may be a useful therapy choice.
It’s critical to keep in mind that medicinal marijuana shouldn’t replace other prescription therapies for multiple sclerosis because it doesn’t provide a cure.
Together with a healthcare practitioner, the right dose and administration technique should be chosen. When using medical marijuana, it’s also important to know about any side effects that could happen and to follow state rules.
Understanding the Various Types of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a long-term neurological disorder that makes it hard for the brain and body to talk to each other, hurts the central nervous system. There are several forms of multiple sclerosis, and each has a distinct set of symptoms and a varied trajectory of development.
A successful treatment strategy may be created by Multiple Sclerosis patients, their healthcare professionals, and others with a thorough understanding of the many kinds of the disease. There are four primary kinds of MS:
Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
The first episode of neurological symptoms brought on by inflammation of the central nervous system is known as a “clinically isolated syndrome” (CIS). Multiple sclerosis is frequently diagnosed as a result of CIS.
Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
Relapsing-remitting Remissions, in which symptoms get better or go away, come after relapses of symptoms, which are a hallmark of Multiple Sclerosis. This type of MS is the most common, and it often starts as a course of relapses and recoveries.
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)
The relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis known as secondary progressive MS progressively progresses, with symptoms getting worse over time. This could happen after a time when there have been few or no relapses.
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)
Primary progressive multiple sclerosis is a type of multiple sclerosis that gets worse over time from the start, with few or no remission periods. Fewer people have this kind of MS than relapsing-remitting MS.
Medical cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis relief
You might be interested to hear that medicinal cannabis is an effective therapeutic choice in New York if you have multiple sclerosis (MS).
In actuality, multiple sclerosis is frequently seen as a qualifying illness for medicinal marijuana. To discover more about how medical cannabis can assist with multiple sclerosis’s main symptoms, which deteriorate with time and can affect movement and gait, keep reading.
Because medical marijuana can relieve the following symptoms of multiple sclerosis, it is a good treatment option for people who have it:
Chronic Aches
Over 80% of multiple sclerosis sufferers, according to a survey by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, feel chronic pain. Because it includes cannabinoids, which interact with body receptors to lessen pain and inflammation, medical cannabis has been shown to be useful in lowering chronic pain in multiple sclerosis patients.
Spasticity
Muscle spasms, typical Multiple sclerosis symptoms that can make patients stiff and make moving difficult are known as spasticity. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that medical marijuana may help people with MS feel less stiff.
Neuropathy
Another typical symptom of MS is neuropathy or discomfort in the nerves. Medical cannabis proved beneficial in lowering neuropathic pain in MS patients, according to a review of studies that were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Tremors
Tremors, or excessive shaking, are another difficult Multiple Sclerosis symptoms to treat. Journal of the American Medical Association research shows that people with MS who use medical marijuana have fewer tremors.
Multiple Sclerosis and Medical Marijuana Recommendations
It’s crucial to speak with a medical professional first if you’re thinking about using medicinal marijuana to treat your multiple sclerosis (MS).
Your doctor can tell you how much to take and how to give it to you. He or she can also help you decide if medical marijuana is the best treatment for you.
Here are a few more suggestions for utilizing medicinal marijuana to treat multiple sclerosis:
Start off with a little dosage
When using medicinal marijuana for the first time, it’s important to start with a low dose and gradually increase it as needed. This can help you figure out the dose that will help your symptoms while causing the fewest unwanted side effects.
Select the proper strain
The effects of various medical marijuana strains on the body might vary. Some strains could be better at easing pain than others, and some might be better at easing muscular spasms than others. To determine the strain that is most effective for you, it may be beneficial to experiment with a few different ones
Examine further therapies
The sole therapy for multiple sclerosis should not be medical marijuana. Continue with any other recommended therapies as directed and talk with your doctor about using medicinal marijuana.
Recognize any potential negative consequence
Medical marijuana may have negative effects, just like any other medication. These could include sleepiness, vertigo, and dry mouth. Potential negative effects should be understood and discussed with your healthcare professional.
Observe state laws
Only a few states have legalized medicinal marijuana, and each state has its own rules and laws governing its usage. It’s important to follow the rules in your area and only use medical marijuana when you’re allowed to.
Typical MS Treatments
A chronic neurological condition called multiple sclerosis (MS) damages the central nervous system and disrupts brain-to-body communication. Although there is no known therapy for MS, there are a number of options that can help manage symptoms and enhance the quality of life.
Medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even medicinal marijuana may all be used as part of these therapies. The best way to treat a person with MS will depend on their particular symptoms and needs.
Working with a healthcare professional can help you figure out the best way to deal with the condition.
Sativex for Multiple Sclerosis
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of cannabis’ active ingredients, and cannabidiol (CBD), another one, are combined in the prescription drug Sativex. It is given as a mouth spray, and it has been approved to treat spasticity in people with MS in a number of countries, including the UK and Canada.
According to some studies, Sativex may help people with MS sleep better and have better bladder control while also lowering their stiffness.
Using Cannador for Multiple Sclerosis
Products made from medicinal cannabis sold under the Cannador brand are designed exclusively to treat MS. These substances, which are commonly taken as capsules, may include a wide range of cannabinoids, including THC and CBD.
Even though there aren’t many studies on Cannador’s effectiveness as a treatment for MS, some people with MS say that it helps to reduce spasticity, improve sleep, and improve quality of life in general.
Final Words
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term disease of the central nervous system that can cause many different symptoms. Although there is no known therapy for MS, there are several options that can help manage symptoms and enhance the quality of life.
Medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even medicinal marijuana may all be used as part of these therapies. MS patients need to work together with a medical professional to figure out the best way to control the disease.
MS can go very differently from person to person, but it is possible to live a full and active life even with the disease if you take care of your symptoms and find the right medical treatment.
