In sickle cell anemia, the shape of the orange blood cells is permanently changed, resulting in them becoming rigid, forming a sickle or crescent shape due to the genetic defect.
- Blockages in blood vessels and drastic pain results.
This also increases risks of organ disfigurement as well as infections. Sickle cell anemia cannot be cured, but you can take luck in treatments that can help you to manage the symptoms more effectively as well as improve the quality of your life. One treatment that has been promising in managing pain as well as other symptoms associated with sickle cell anemia is medical cannabis. Cannabis contains many compounds including terpenes as well as cannabinoids that have therapeutic effects. In addition to pain relief, medical cannabis has been found to reduce nausea and increase appetite, which can benefit patients who experience the side effects of chemotherapy and other treatments. CBD has been found to have antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects that can help manage the psychological as well as emotional impact of dealing with a chronic illness every day. Sickle cell anemia patients who have used medical cannabis have reported vast improvements in their mood, pain, and overall quality of life compared to those who never used medical cannabis for treatment. Medical cannabis isn’t appropriate for and won’t work for everyone. Only use it under the guidance of a medical cannabis healthcare professional. More research is needed in order to fully understand its potential risks and effectiveness.