Digestive Problems
Medical cannabis can help calm bloating, cramps, and gut discomfort.
Overview
Medical cannabis for digestive problems can help to calm frustrating symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea and bloating.
Digestive problems can come in many forms, and research shows 86% of British people have reported some form of gastrointestinal issue in the last year. Digestive problems could simply be the general gastrointestinal symptoms many of us experience regularly, such as bloating or constipation, or they could be due to specific conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms
In the UK, the most common digestive symptoms include abdominal pain or discomfort (63%), diarrhoea (55%), bloating (53%), flatulence (44%) and constipation (44%). Other associated symptoms include heartburn, nausea or vomiting.
Treatments
Treatments for digestive problems depend on the exact condition. Anti-sickness or anti-diarrhoea medications and other targeted treatments help to address specific symptoms, but your doctor should try to address the root cause. Medical cannabis offers another potential treatment option, as it has been found to slow intestinal motility, maintain pH levels in the digestive tract, and support the gut microbiome.
8 weeks
A 2021 study found ulcerative colitis patients using medical cannabis for 8 weeks experienced improvements in symptoms compared with placebos
118.6
A study of Crohn’s disease patients found using medical cannabis produced a severity score of 118.6, compared to 212.6 in the placebo group
28%
Cannabis use was associated with a 28% reduced risk of C. difficile infection (a bacterial infection in the colon) in hospitalised patients
16.4%
In a 2014 survey, 16.4% of inflammatory bowel disease patients using cannabis did so to manage symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhoea
Knowledge
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It really works, don’t justtake our word for it
Word from our expert
Dr Sunil AroraChief Medical Officer
Digestive problems can impact quality of life, but medical cannabis offers relief.
The symptoms of various digestive problems can create a challenging combination of issues, and those who suffer may struggle to find the best ways to keep their symptoms controlled. Medical cannabis could offer effective relief from conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
At Emerald, our trusted team of experts can help you manage your unique symptoms with this safe treatment option.
Common Conditionsrelated to Digestive Problems
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