Arthritis is a prevalent chronic health problem in Canada, with around 6 million Canadians currently suffering from this condition. It’s been estimated that by 2040, 24 percent of Canada’s population will have arthritis. It doesn’t target a specific age group, but your chances of getting the disease increases as you grow older.
There are over 100 known types of arthritis today. All of them cause joint inflammation and stiffness which can lead to permanent damage if left untreated for too long. What makes this disease highly problematic is that once you have it, it stays with you for the rest of your life.
Other kinds of arthritis can even cause problems to the eyes, heart, or lungs. One of these more dangerous types is Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of Spondyloarthritis; a group of diseases characterized by inflammation in the spine and joints.
What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Ankylosing Spondylitis or AS mainly affects the spine. Given enough time, it will slowly fuse parts of the vertebrae together until you are hunched. It’s not unusual for the pelvis to be affected as well. In more severe cases, this disease can also spread to the shoulders, ribs and other joints in the body.
Some of AS’ symptoms are as follows:
- Pain and stiffness in the lower back, pelvis, legs, or shoulders
- Increased pain in the morning or after being inactive for long periods of time
- Chronic fatigue
- Blurry vision and heightened sensitivity to light
AS can lead to other complications, such as
- Inflammation in the eyes
- Restricted breathing
- Increased likeliness of cancer
- Heart impairment
It is a rare condition that is more likely to occur in men. Unlike most forms of arthritis which are more commonplace in older people, young adults are more susceptible to this disease.
But like most other arthritis types, Ankylosing Spondylitis doesn’t have a known cure yet. However, there are medications that you can take to prevent its symptoms from getting worse or at least slow its progress down.
If you’re looking for something else aside from opioids and other pharmaceuticals, one of the most popular natural options is CBD oil.
Medical Cannabis For Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
In recent years, CBD oil use has become commonplace among Canadians looking for an alternative to pharmaceuticals. This is because CBD & CBD hemp products don’t induce the psychoactive effects that cannabis does, thanks to the lack of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
CBD’s Health Benefits
The benefits of CBD can include:
- Pain relief
- Anti-inflammation
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Treats epilepsy symptoms
CBD’s famous pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties have made it attractive to people who need help with pain management.
CBD and the ECS
To understand how CBD, or cannabidiol, can relieve arthritis pain, we must first know about the endocannabinoid system or ECS, which we are all born with.
CBD helps your body by interacting with your ECS, which has receptors that receive chemical signals and assist your cells in responding to different stimuli in the body. While the ECS can send pain-relieving signals without the help of CBD, the substance enhances the effects that it has on you.
We offer all Canadians free phone and video appointments with one of our healthcare practitioners where they can inquire about obtaining a medical cannabis prescription.
If you would like to book your free appointment, you can here.
CBD’s Special Anti-Inflammatory Effect
For a long time, it was assumed that CBD’s effectiveness at reducing inflammation was thanks to its interactions with the ECS receptors. However, there’s a recent study by the Brain and Spine Institute in France that reveals that CBD didn’t need the receptors. The chemical already has inherent antioxidant properties and suppresses an enzyme that stimulates inflammation in the body.
For people with Ankylosing Spondylitis, which has severe inflammations, this property is immensely helpful in slowing down its symptoms.
Consult a Physician First
If you are interested in CBD oil for relieving your Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms, it’s safer to consult a trusted physician first on proper dosages and to make sure that it is not conflicting with any ongoing medications and treatments you have. Your healthcare provider should always be updated on your progress and any side effects you may be feeling.
Apollo’s Cannabis Clinic physicians are here and offer free appointments to all Canadians, 7 days a week.
To get safe and high-quality CBD, be sure to buy tested and certified products from trusted sources. Book an appointment with our dedicated doctors today and find out more about how Apollo can help.
More Resources:
What to expect from an online/virtual appointment
Eligible conditions
5 reasons to have a prescription
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References:
arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis/arthritis-facts-and-figures
webmd.com/arthritis/what-is-ankylosing-spondylitis#1
verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system-4171855
icm-institute.org/en/actualite/anti-inflammatory-effect-of-cannabidiol-a-non-psychoactivecomponent-of-cannabis/
healthline.com/health/cbd-and-drug-interactions-what-you-need-to-know
