More than five million people in the U.S. endure cachexia, a wasting disorder that tends to come from underlying conditions, such as cancer and AIDS. For many cachexia patients, nausea is a frequent, daily symptom that makes it difficult to eat and offset the effects of the disorder. With the growing legalization of medical weed, however, patients are now using medicinal cannabis to reduce their cachexia-related nausea with success.
For many physicians, treating cachexia begins by easing your feelings of nausea, as well as vomiting symptoms. As a result, many doctors recommend avoiding foods, odors and liquids that bring on intense feelings of nausea or induce vomiting.
In addition to removing foods that upset your stomach, select medications may also be prescribed, including:
Among prescription drugs, Dronabinol gathers more attention. It’s a synthetic derivative of one of marijuana’s primary cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), that received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the 1980s, more than 10 years before any state legalized medical cannabis.
It’s an early move that demonstrated the viable role of medical weed in healthcare, as well as in treating nausea.
Due to the proven effectiveness of Dronabinol, as well as the release of medical marijuana research on cachexia, more patients and physicians are turning away from traditional prescription treatments for cachexia-related nausea in favor of medical cannabis, which acts as an appetite stimulant.
If you or a loved one are considering medical weed for treating cachexia-related nausea, it’s essential to follow your state’s processes for obtaining medical cannabis. While state laws vary, many ask patients to complete similar steps, which include:
For caretakers or parental guardians, most states will request that you file an application alongside your loved one, but only if you intend to purchase or administer medical pot to them. If they are a minor, you will have to complete one.
As a medicine, medical weed is versatile. You can administer it in a variety of ways, including:
Because nausea and vomiting often cause sensitivity to odors, many patients with cachexia-related nausea do not smoke or vaporize their medical marijuana, as many strains have a fragrant scent. Instead, you may opt to take a tablet or tincture — ointments aren’t often ideal, either, as they’re best for localized pain.
At MarijuanaDoctors.com, we understand the challenge of treating you or your loved one’s disease, whether it’s cachexia, glaucoma, fibromyalgia or another qualifying condition for medical weed. That’s why we provide in-depth resources that give you valuable information to discuss with your physician.
Learn more about medical marijuana for cachexia-related symptoms by exploring our resource library and blog.
