CBD in the Treatment of Colitis and Crohn's Disease
One of the most common inflammatory bowel diseases is Crohn's disease, which can significantly disrupt patients' lives. Some cases require hospitalization and surgical intervention, yet modern medicine does not have a cure or effective method to tackle this condition. Doctors therefore focus on treatment methods that alleviate individual symptoms, with CBD (cannabidiol) from medical cannabis potentially being one of them. What therapeutic properties can CBD provide to Crohn's disease patients?
Crohn's Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis
Intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis fall under the group of inflammatory bowel diseases - IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). The digestive system consists of several parts – namely the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines. Its main function is breaking down food, obtaining nutrients, and removing excess or unusable material and waste from the body. Inflammation occurring in one area can completely disrupt the proper function of the digestive tract, and in severe cases can even be life-threatening. IBD primarily includes two most common diseases, which we will examine closely.
Ulcerative Colitis
Long-term inflammation of the large intestine causes a disease known in practice as "Ulcerative Colitis". It usually begins in the rectum and progresses to the large intestine, where it causes changes in the mucosa manifesting as ulcers. These symptoms worsen a person's ability to absorb nutrients from food, and additionally, they develop a so-called leaky gut syndrome – a condition where the body retains certain unwanted substances from the bloodstream.
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