Sickle Cell Anemia
SICKLE CELL ANEMIA AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a general term used to describe a group of hematological disorders that affect the red blood cells. This condition is caused by a single-point mutation in the beta-globin chain of the hemoglobin molecule. This mutation leads to red blood cells losing their ability to transport oxygen, meander through tiny blood vessels and live to their expected life span. This medical condition is hereditary and has no cure thus its treatment is based on managing the symptoms, with the most common being chronic and severe pain. Both conservational management and pharmaceuticals are involved in the management of SCD.
In Sickle cell anemia, one of the sickle cell disease disorders, there is not a sufficient amount of red blood cells that are healthy to transport oxygen to different parts of the body efficiently. This condition is detected in early childhood around five months old although most cases are diagnosed in older children depending on the presentation.
The symptoms of sickle cell anemia vary with individuals and also depend on the type of sickle cell disease. The first presenting symptom is seen in the first few months of childhood but has an average peak age of 6 months. The symptoms of SCA include; fatigue, incidents of pain (acute or chronic), recurrent infections, delayed growth, visual problems, swelling of the hands and feet, delayed puberty, jaundice, and anemia.
After the diagnosis of SCA, the patient is immediately placed on certain medications that promote red cells production, reduce sickle cell crises as well as opioids and other drugs for pain. Antibiotics are also recommended to prevent opportunistic infections as they are more susceptible to bacterial infections. Most of these medications are taken for the patient's entire life. While these medications serve to treat sickle cell anemia, blood transfusions and stem cell transplants are effective methods to ease the symptoms of the condition. A recent research study in 2018 showed that medical marijuana has properties that help alleviate the symptoms of this condition and possibly even specific properties that also alleviate the condition itself.
Why Does Marijuana Help Sickle Cell Anemia?
The need for medical cannabis in the treatment of sickle cell disease and its symptoms has been on the steady rise with advocates insisting that sickle cell disease should be listed as a condition that qualifies patients for the use of medical marijuana. The North Carolina Compassionate Care Act may include sickle cell anemia as a qualifying condition because it has shown to be useful for the majority of patients that have used it. Medical cannabis also possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which makes it a great fit for treating sickle cell disease. Based on the studies done so far, medical marijuana is a safe and effective medication that can substitute other potentially dangerous medications such as opioids and painkillers.
Marijuana analgesic effect
In sickle cell disease, the most common symptom is pain. It remains the first form of relief sought by patients with SCD as they approach the hospital for medical attention. The pain of sickle cell disease may result from several complications such as blockage of small blood vessels by sickle cells, inflammation, diminished blood flow to tissues of the body. The target is to reduce the inflammatory process, tissue damage which in turn improves the symptoms. Medical marijuana, with its anti-inflammatory effect, inhibits the inflammation process which reduces the pain symptoms. In a study done in 2005, among 86 adults, 36% have used marijuana to treat the symptoms of SCD. Among this percent, 52% used it for pain relief, 39% for relaxation, relief from anxiety, and depression.
To improve the quality of life of a patient, pain relief, modulation of inflammation, and depression associated with sickle cell disease must be kept in check. The pain can be acute or chronic and is often so severe that it can disturb the patient's day-to-day activities. Other patients may find the relaxation effect of marijuana very helpful.
Many patients that suffer from sickle cell disease take cannabis to treat pain while others combine it with opioids and other drugs. The use of medical marijuana has been reported to help reduce the use of opioids which are considered to be potentially dangerous. Also, opioids produce side effects that may be life-threatening with a higher risk of abuse or dependence. As nausea is associated with opioid use, marijuana often helps reduce nausea, which makes it a suitable drug for SCD treatment. Before patients decide to use marijuana in sickle cell disease treatment, prior consultation with a physician is advisable. Our marijuana doctor will serve as a guide to manage your sickle cell disease and avoid complications when it comes to your medical cannabis treatment. A well-experienced doctor with good knowledge of medical cannabis can guide you with a good treatment strategy that involves medical marijuana. Some factors will be considered before treatment is commenced. Some of these factors include; a strain of marijuana that will be most appropriate and the route of administration. Many times this is decided after consultation with a pharmacist at the marijuana dispensary. Our marijuana doctor is also available to help guide patients on the best way to find the strain of marijuana that suits them.
Depending on the strains of cannabis, patients can experience different effects, some can make you feel relaxed, relieve your pain, and induce sleep while another strain may be involved with energizing your body which is mostly considered during the day when you need enough energy. The route of administration is also a major factor to be considered when giving marijuana to SCD patients. In cases where the patient is in severe acute pain, fast relief can be achieved with either smoking or vaporizing marijuana. Smoking requires combustion at a high degree of heat thereby releasing by-products that are toxic to the lungs. Vaporizing, on the other hand, does not require much heat to release the chemicals, and vaporizing gives the same instant relief but studies need to be conducted on the safety of vaporizing oils. The disadvantage with this route of administration is they don't have a longer duration of action. Edible marijuana may take a longer time to initiate its effects but have a long-lasting effect thus providing SCD patients with a longer relief. With topical marijuana creams or lotion, patients can apply them to target areas. With the appropriate strain and route of ingestion, you can get a better effect from the use of medical marijuana in treating SCD.
Cannabis and Sickle Cell Disease Potetial Side Effects
Like every other medication, medical marijuana has its unique properties and side effects which may be unwanted or beneficial depending on what the patient is trying to treat. Some of the potential adverse effects include; euphoric feeling (especially with THC), increased hunger, sleepiness, dry mouth, red eyes, blurred vision, and drowsiness.
North Carolina Marijuana Card for Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease
If North Carolina passes Senate Bill 711 (SB 711) also known as the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act then it is very likely that sickle cell anemia would qualify North Carolina residents for a North Carolina marijuana card.
By getting a North Carolina marijuana card patients that are residents of North Carolina would be able to visit the state-licensed marijuana dispensaries that would open if this law passes.
As the bill currently sits it could allow for as many as 10 medical marijuana dispensaries in North Carolina. Each dispensary could possible open an additional four retail cannabis stores to serve patients with qualifying conditions in North Carolina.
Why Should I Get a North Carolina Marijuana Card?
If the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act passes then the only legal way for patients in North Carolina to purchase cannabis products from the state-licensed marijuana dispensaries would be to obtain a North Carolina marijuana card.
As the bill sits in its current form it would also provide legal protections to patients that have a valid North Carolina cannabis card as well as a valid written medical cannabis certificate from a physician.
How Can I Get Medical Marijuana in North Carolina?
North Carolina does not currently have a medical cannabis program. However, if SB 711 passes as it sits in its current form then getting a North Carolina marijuana card would be very simple and easy at North Carolina Marijuana Doctors.
If North Carolina establishes a cannabis program then we will immediately begin seeing patients, conducting medical marijuana evaluations, and issuing North Carolina cannabis certificates. We will even offer appointments through telemedicine to increase patient safety and convenience.
After a patent is certified for medical cannabis by our marijuana doctor they will be able to submit that information to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to receive their North Carolina marijuana card.
After a patient receives their marijuana card they will be able to purchase cannabis products from any state-licensed marijuana dispensaries in North Carolina.
If you would like to be notified as soon as North Carolina establishes a medical marijuana program and receive a $25 discount off our normal pricing please click on the button below. You will be prompted to enter in your information so we can contact you directly and schedule your appointment as soon as legislation passes in North Carolina.
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