Cannabis is a drug that contains many ingredients, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Some people with Crohn’s use it to help control symptoms.
The best way to use it is to talk to your health care provider. They can tell you what to look for in a quality product. They can also advise you on how much to take and how often.
Medications
Cannabis is one of the most popular options for pain relief and many people are using it to treat Crohn’s disease. It comes from a variety of plants, including hemp and marijuana. These products are high in cannabinoids called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Studies have shown that people with IBD may benefit from using marijuana to treat their symptoms. While the research is still inconclusive, there’s evidence that it can reduce inflammation and ease some symptoms like nausea, cramping, and abdominal pain.
A 2021 study showed that people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis who smoked cannabis cigarettes experienced a significant reduction in their disease activity, quality of life, and symptoms compared to those who smoked placebo cigarettes. The patients also had an improvement in their simple endoscopic score for Crohn’s disease [SES-CD] and the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) — two tests that measure how active their ulcers are.
The researchers also found that people with UC who used cannabis to treat their symptoms had a lower need for other medications than those who didn’t use it. They had fewer hospitalizations and less money spent on their care.
Medications have been one of the mainstays of treating Crohn’s disease, but they come with side effects. It’s important to talk to your doctor about alternative treatments that may work for you.
Some of the more commonly prescribed medications for Crohn’s include antibiotics, steroids, and biologics. If you try these medicines, make sure you follow the directions.
If you’re thinking about using cannabis to help with your IBD, talk to your doctor first. They can tell you about dosing deets and recommend the type of product that’s right for you.
Your health care provider will also be able to tell you about state- and federally approved programs for medical use of cannabis. Currently, there are 37 states and 3 territories that allow medical use of cannabis.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of cannabis for treating IBD will depend on how well the product you use has been manufactured and formulated, as some products can miscalculate cannabinoid potency or don’t report their ingredients correctly. It’s best to go with a brand that has been third-party tested for quality and purity.
Bowel rest
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract and may lead to life-threatening complications. It is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and immunological factors, and it typically goes through cycles of flares and remissions, with no known cure to date.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. It can also cause a condition called tenesmus, which involves the development of mucus or blood in the stool and a general feeling that the bowel won’t empty properly.
Cannabis has been shown to have a number of benefits for those with Crohn’s disease, including reducing inflammation and discomfort. It can be smoked, consumed in an edible form, or taken in liquid form.
Patients with Crohn’s have reported significant relief from symptoms after using medical cannabis. Several studies have found that the cannabis plant’s cannabinoids can help manage symptoms in people with the condition, and it can be effective even in cases where other medications have failed.
Some people with Crohn’s have been able to decrease their use of steroids, which are sometimes necessary for the disease, by using cannabis. One study of 30 patients found that using cannabis reduced steroid use by about 70%, a significant improvement for many.
The plant’s cannabinoids have also been shown to help with other symptoms of the disease, such as vomiting and fatigue. They may also help reduce the need for medication, such as immunosuppressive drugs.
Although cannabis is an extremely popular remedy for chronic illnesses, it can be harmful if used incorrectly. It is best to consult with a medical professional before deciding to use marijuana for any purpose, whether it’s medicinal or recreational.
Currently, 37 states and three territories have legalized the use of medical cannabis. You can find out whether your state or territory offers a program by visiting the National Conference of State Legislatures website.
Surgery
While there isn’t yet a cure for Crohn’s disease, doctors have several treatment options that can help ease symptoms and prevent flare-ups. These treatments may also improve your long-term prognosis.
The main goal of medical treatment is to control inflammation so that your disease signs and symptoms don’t get worse. This can lead to symptom relief and possibly long-term remission (when your Crohn’s signs and symptoms go away for good).
Corticosteroids such as prednisone or budesonide (Entocort EC) can reduce inflammation, but they don’t work for everyone with Crohn’s. For most people, the best way to treat their disease is to use a combination of medications.
Some patients who don’t respond well to corticosteroids or other medications may try a treatment called cannabis. This treatment can be taken in several forms, including marijuana cigarettes, tinctures or edibles.
In a study from Israel, patients who used cannabis reported less need for additional medications and fewer surgeries than those who didn’t. They also experienced a lower Harvey-Bradshaw index and fewer symptoms overall, according to the study’s authors.
But if you’re thinking about trying cannabis, it’s important to talk with your doctor. They’ll help you find the right dose and determine whether you might benefit from this treatment.
The most common type of cannabis for treating Crohn’s is smoked, but it can be brewed as a tea or infused into a beverage, too. You can also “vape” marijuana, which means breathing in the vapour from dried weed.
Your doctor will also prescribe medication to control your symptoms and inflammation. This can include antibiotics to fight bacteria that cause infections, anti-inflammatory drugs, or immune suppressants like rituximab (Rituxan).
These medicines will usually control your Crohn’s disease so you don’t have as many flare-ups. Some people with severe Crohn’s may need stronger medications, a combination of medicines or surgery.
If you need to take medicine for a long time, you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable with it and that you have a good relationship with your doctor. That’s important because your treatment regimen will impact how you live, and you don’t want to have to stop taking the medicine because it makes you feel bad.
Diet
When it comes to dietary management for Crohn’s disease, it’s important to understand that the diet is only one of several factors that impact the symptoms of this condition. Other important factors include stress, exercise, sleep, medications, and other treatment methods.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the relationship between diet and weight loss can be complex. It can elicit psychological challenges and lead to feelings of deprivation or guilt. In some cases, people with this disease can develop a relationship with food that is unproductive and unhealthy.
The main dietary recommendation for patients with Crohn’s is to avoid foods that aggravate their symptoms. This may include high-fat, fried foods, sugary beverages and alcohol. It is also recommended to limit caffeine and eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Protein is another important nutrient for Crohn’s patients. It is essential for the body to build muscle, and protein can help decrease inflammation in the digestive tract. Some high-protein foods to eat include meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, cheese, yogurt, tofu and other soy-based foods like tofu milk.
Adding more protein-rich foods to your diet can also boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. You may be able to get more protein in your diet by using protein shakes or supplements.
Many people with Crohn’s disease may be deficient in certain nutrients, such as vitamin D or B12. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about boosting your levels.
You may also need to eat more protein-rich foods during flares and remissions, as this can reduce abdominal pain, diarrhea and fatigue. A plant-based diet can be beneficial for some patients with Crohn’s.
Some doctors recommend eliminating lactose, a type of sugar found in dairy products, as it can trigger symptoms for people with lactose intolerance. However, most people with Crohn’s disease do not have lactose intolerance.
You can also try a low-FODMAP diet, which cuts back on sugars that are not well absorbed by the intestines. These include fructose, lactose, sugar polyols such as sorbitol and mannitol, and fructans, which are found in vegetables like garlic, leeks, artichokes and wheat.
