Patients with various medical conditions now use medical marijuana as a safe and effective way to deal with a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms. For instance, many patients with Hepatitis C now use medical marijuana to relieve symptoms and help with their treatment.
Hepatitis C is a severe viral infection that is spread through the blood. It’s important to detect and treat Hepatitis C early, as it can often lead to life-threatening liver damage if it goes untreated. It can also cause a range of other complications that can reduce the quality of life of patients.
While certain antiviral medications are needed to treat Hepatitis C, many of these come with harsh side effects. Medical marijuana helps patients deal with their antiviral medication treatment as well as helping to alleviate some of the health complications caused by Hepatitis C.
What Is Hepatitis C And How Is It Treated?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease that is caused by catching the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The virus can cause severe inflammation and damage to the liver, resulting in a host of complications for patients. In many cases, Hepatitis C can lead to severe liver damage and could even be life-threatening if it’s not treated.
The virus is generally spread by blood-to-blood contact and people catch it in various ways: It can be spread by sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes, and can even be sexually transmitted in rare cases.
Many cases of Hepatitis C are symptomless at first and sufferers may not realize they have contracted it until after they have already suffered from liver damage. The virus can be detected with a blood test. Some of the initial symptoms include fever, muscle aches, chronic fatigue, appetite loss, and abdominal pain.
Hepatitis C is treated using antiviral medicines that reduce the growth and spread of the virus. Some patients even take multiple medications to reduce the virus. These treatments are usually used for several weeks until the virus subsides. Medical marijuana can also be used to complement pharmaceutical treatment.
Hepatitis C & Medical Marijuana
Although Hepatitis C patients require antiviral medicines to treat their condition, medical marijuana is often used to supplement the treatment. While marijuana won’t reduce the spread of Hepatitis C, it can help patients with many of the complications that come along with Hepatitis C, thus making treatment more comfortable.
Research from the University of California, San Francisco found that medical cannabis can significantly improve the effectiveness of Hepatitis C therapy for patients. The pharmaceutical drugs used to treat Hepatitis C often produce severe side effects, causing many patients to drop out of treatment before the virus is cured.
The study found that patients who used medical cannabis were significantly more likely to remain on Hepatitis C treatment, as well as being three times more likely to have no detectable virus after the treatment. This is in large part because medical cannabis helps patients deal with the symptoms of Hepatitis C and the side effects caused by antiviral medications.
What’s more, cannabinoids in cannabis can also help inhibit inflammatory liver damage. As such, medical marijuana can be helpful for patients due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
How Medical Marijuana Helps With Hepatitis C Symptoms
One of the main reasons that Hepatitis C sufferers often turn to medical cannabis is that it can help with many of the symptoms and complications caused by the virus. Medical cannabis can also help reduce many of the negative side effects caused by medications, making it easier for patients to handle treatment.
Hepatitis C sufferers often experience persistent abdominal pain, and medical marijuana can help due to its analgesic effects. Medical marijuana also provides relief for nausea and vomiting, two other common symptoms that can be caused by Hepatitis C and the medications used to treat it.
Some patients also experience severe fatigue due to Hepatitis C. Some strains of medical marijuana can help counteract chronic fatigue. Marijuana can also provide relief for sleep problems, which can help with the recovery process.
Many patients also find medical marijuana helpful due to the impact it has on their mood. Dealing with Hepatitis C and the side effects of antiviral medications can cause stress and anxiety for some patients. By counteracting mood problems, medical marijuana can help improve patient quality of life.
How To Use Medical Marijuana For Hepatitis C
There are many effective ways to get the benefits of medical marijuana. Many patients choose to smoke Cannabis Flower due to its fast-acting effects. Other patients may prefer to vape cannabis to avoid the harsh effects of smoking while still getting instant relief.
Patients who want to avoid inhaling anything also have various alternative methods of consumption to choose from. For instance, Cannabis Tinctures can be used by simply applying drops of oil under the tongue. Some patients prefer to use Cannabis Capsules or Edibles that provide a dose of THC in an easy-to-consume form.
CBD products are also popular for medical cannabis patients. These provide many of the same properties as marijuana but without the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD products come in various forms, including CBD Tinctures, Edibles, Capsules, and Vape Products.
How To Get Medical Marijuana For Hepatitis C
Although medical marijuana is now legal in various states, the best way to get medical marijuana for Hepatitis C is via your state’s medical marijuana program. This allows you to access high-quality medical marijuana products via state dispensaries.
In Florida, the process of getting your medical card involves making an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor. After showing proof of your condition, they’ll approve you and you can apply for your medical card.
RELATED: Buying Marijuana Blog
Once you receive your medical card, you can buy a wide range of medical cannabis and CBD products from Florida dispensaries. If you need help with finding a medical marijuana doctor and getting your medical card, MY FLORIDA GREEN provides a simple and easy to use process that simplifies and speeds up certification.
The Takeaway
Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that can lead to life-threatening liver damage if it is not successfully treated. While patients need to treat the condition with antiviral medications, medical marijuana significantly helps patients with symptoms, complications, and treatment of the virus.
Treat Hepatitis C naturally by getting your medical marijuana card. The first step is to schedule an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor. We make it fast and easy!
