Arthritis Risk Factors and Marijuana

When the joints become inflamed, the condition is known as arthritis. Symptoms of the condition include stiffness and joint pain, which seems to get worse with increasing age. The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. While they are both common, they damage the joints in different ways.

Rheumatoid arthritis is when the immune system begins to attack the lining of the joint capsule, which is a tough membrane that envelopes all the parts of the joint. The lining then becomes swollen and inflamed. This type of arthritis can eventually destroy cartilage and the bone within the joint itself.

Osteoarthritis is when daily wear-and-tear causes damage to the cartilage (the smooth, hard coating on the bones’ edges) of the joint. When repeated rubbing occurs, enough damage can result in bone on bone grinding, which results in pain and restricted movement.

The Various Risk Factors Associated with Arthritis

Obesity: When one is overweight, it causes more stress on the joints. The knees, hips, and spine are commonly affected when it comes to developing arthritis.
Sex: Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Males are more prone to gout (another type of arthritis not discussed here).
Family History: There are a few types of arthritis that are hereditary. Genes can make you more susceptible to environmental conditions that can trigger the symptoms of arthritis.
Previous Injury: If you’ve injured a joint (most commonly playing a sport), you’re more likely to develop arthritis in that area.
Age: The risk of many types of arthritis increase the older you get.

Arthritis and Well-Being

In addition to the discomfort associated with all types of arthritis, those that suffer from the condition have reported feeling mentally impaired from emotional issues, depression, or stress for about five days out of the month. Those with arthritis also tend to feel unwell for more days out of the month than those without it. Sometimes, it even means not being able to go about your day due to the symptoms one is experiencing at the time. Effects vary from person to person, depending on the type and severity of the condition.

There are a wide array of medications that can be administered, including analgesics, counterirritants, biologic response modifiers, NSAIDs, DMARDs, and corticosteroids are all commonly given as forms of treatment. One many have to go one-by-one down the list to see if any work for their specific condition. Commonly, these medications offer minimal relief from the symptoms of arthritis.

Treating Arthritis Risk Factors and Marijuana

It is important to be knowledgeable when it comes to your treatment options for your condition. Medical marijuana could be a great treatment route if you are concerned that the methods that you have been trying since being diagnosed with the condition have proven to be ineffective. Marijuana is a natural and affordable alternative to traditional medications and does not have the side effects that pharmaceuticals have. Patients that have used medical marijuana have reported less pain, reduced use of other medicines, and an improvement in movement due to less pain. A consultation can help in determining if medical marijuana is the right treatment method for your specific condition.

Ready to find out more?

If you have arthritis and want to explore treating your symptoms with medical marijuana, we want to help.

Schedule Today

Have a question? Reach out to us here and we will get back with you shortly.