What Is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammation of the bowels that can cause horrible discomfort and be quite disruptive to normal life. Crohn’s can cause bloody diarrhea, frequent trips to the bathroom, stomach pain, upset stomach, and can be fatal if untreated. Crohn’s can permanently destroy parts of the bowel which requires surgery to remove sections of destroyed bowel. If surgery isn’t done in time, the impending infection will become septic, meaning it will enter the blood stream and attack the entire body. These types of infections can be fatal if left untreated.

Crohn’s is a chronic disease that causes the bowels to flare-up and become inflamed. There is not enough known about Crohn’s to determine exactly what the cause is. It is believed that it could be environmental factors but can also genetically passed and it may also be linked to issues with the immune system. It may be a combination of any of these factors. Treatments do exist but for many, the price is very steep if they are uninsured.

 

• For those without insurance, CBD disease control help is possible. Even if you are only wishing to explore more natural methods of reducing your pain and symptoms, CBD oil and Crohn’s is potentially an effective treatment for many people. For many people, when using CBD oil ulcerative colitis becomes more manageable. Ulcerative colitis is not the same as Crohn’s disease, but they are very similar and share many of the same symptoms. There are differences, however, and the way modern medicine treats these two things are very different. We’ll discuss both.

 

Shared Symptoms

People suffering with either of these chronic conditions may be plagued by symptoms that are extremely uncomfortable such as:

• Cramps and pain in the stomach
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Urgency to run to the bathroom due to bowels
• Weight loss
• Rectal bleeding
• An elevated body temperature
• Loss of appetite
• Exhaustion and/or lethargy
• Exclusive to women – there may be fluctuations in the timing of your period

 

Symptoms Exclusive to Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease can affect the entire digestive tract, from the mouth to the colon, unlike Ulcerative Colitis, which only affects the large intestine. If you have Crohn’s disease, there will typically be areas of healthy tissue that falls in between the inflamed areas. Crohn’s sufferers will often experience mouth sores. They might happen on the inside of the lips or on the sides of the tongue.

Those with Crohn’s disease may also experience anal tearing, narrowing of the anal tract, ulcerations in the anal area and infections.

 

How Will the Doctor Decide?

As you might imagine, with two diseases that present in so many similar ways, the most definitive diagnosis will only happen when the proper tests have been done. There are many ways that your doctor can determine what is happening in your digestive tract.

X-rays

These will show whether there are blockages, shrunken areas of bowel, and any pockets in your intestines that could indicate other issues.

 

Contrast X-rays

This type of x-ray is done to help see things within the bowel. Doctors will be able to watch the barium, the contrast fluid that you drink, flow through your digestive tract to determine problem areas or leaks. Leaks in the intestines, called perforations, can cause sepsis and possible death if not treated quickly enough.

 

CT and MRI scans

These tests help to rule out possible other issues or Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

 

Endoscopy

There are several types of endoscopy now. A pill version is sometimes done, which enables a view of the entire digestive process. Endoscopy can be done down the throat, not necessarily rectally. It depends on the area the doctor wishes to see.

 

Possible Alternative Treatment

Some people are using medical marijuana for Crohn’s Disease. Since not all states have legalized marijuana for medical use, other people are turning to CBD oil for Crohn’s. People taking CBD report that they are helped in many ways. CBD helps with the anxiety that always accompanies Crohn’s disease. It also takes the edge off the stomach and abdominal pain that is a part of having this disease. Those suffering from Crohn’s also report being able to relax more mentally. Having a disease like Crohn’s disease causes a lot of worry and stress. The CBD oil helps reduce this which seems to have an overall affect of making the patient feel a reduction in symptoms that might be typically exacerbated by the stress.

CBD oil is being used for many psychological and neurological symptoms with great success. More studies will need to happen with Crohn’s Disease to gather data that determines exactly how is able to help and perhaps perfect the treatment.

CBD users are of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds. CBD is legal in almost every city in the USA. Very few jurisdictions have shady gray regulations that have yet to be contested in court. As the country moves closer and closer to legalizing medical marijuana from coast to coast, many people are turning to CBD oil for Crohn’s and a host of other chronic illnesses.

 

Traditional Medical Treatments for Crohn’s Disease

A typical treatment for Crohn’s disease is an IV infusion of a medication. Stelara is the most often used IV infusion therapy treatment for Crohn’s disease. Only those who have very good insurance could afford this infusion option. Infusions are done six times per year, every other month. Cost of Stelara without insurance is over nine-thousand dollars ($9000) per shot. That would be over thirty-seven thousand dollars ($37,000) per year!

Another common treatment is Amino salicylates (5-ASA). These are medications that treat episodes of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. They also help in stopping flares. If taken on a prescribed basis, these pills are working for many people. There are sometimes side-effects, as well as the costs of these medications. Some people must take the pills rectally as suppositories.

Corticosteroids are used for some people. These help to suppress the immune system and can be used orally, topically, or intravenously infused (Stelara). There are side effects from long term use of steroids which some people find very problematic.

Immunomodulators can be injected. These drugs suppress the immune system to lower inflammation. These drugs are designed to weaken the immune system and may not be the best course of treatment for some patients who might have other illnesses or certain risk factors.

 

Using CBD in Conjunction with Traditional Treatment

Some patients are finding that taking medications that are prescribed along with CBD oil for Crohn’s disease, helps to reduce the symptoms that can be problematic, both from the Crohn’s and from the prescribed medications and their side-effect.

CBD oil is a naturally derived oil from hemp plants. CBD has no other ingredients so there would be no interaction indications between it and other medications. CBD does not contain any more than .03% THC, the ingredient in marijuana that causes the euphoric high that marijuana smokers are familiar with. CBD cannot get you high. For that reason, it is a safe thing to take for many people that need help with stomach upset and nausea. CBD takes the edge off pain while allowing you to retain your cognitive skills, such as driving and working.

 

What You Should Know About CBD

If you know absolutely nothing at all about CBD, or if you think it is something people use to get high, then you should likely learn about it before thinking about using it. You really should take the time to learn about anything you are putting in your body at all, be it food or medication.

CBD is made from hemp plants that are specially bred by industrial hemp farmers. Their plants are grown specifically to have lower amounts of THC. THC is tetrahydrocannabinol. THC stimulates the brain cells to release dopamine. Dopamine creates a feeling of relaxation and general happiness. People may feel euphoric. Some people may just feel sleepy and relaxed. CBD is removed from the hemp plant and separated from any THC in the plants that are purposely grown for less THC content to begin with. The final CBD oil product will contain less than .03% THC and is regulated closely. By law, the concentration cannot fall above this percentage.

All manufacturers of CBD oil must check each batch of oil they extract. Most reputable manufacturers also have third party testing done and can provide you with those test results. It is highly preferred to use oil extracted from all parts of the plant, because the concentrations of CBD are different throughout the plant. Extracting oil from the entire plant ensures the best quality oil. This type of CBD oil will be labeled “full spectrum” and is considered superior to other types of CBD oil that may have been from only the leaves.

There are a few different extraction methods for obtaining the CBD oil from the plant. You should also concern yourself with these, as only one of the methods is truly superior to the other methods.

 

Alcohol/solvent extraction

This method is done by mashing the plant up and adding either alcohol or solvent to the plant sludge. The oils will bond with alcohol or solvent and specialized machinery is then used to pull that oil out and separate it from the rest of the plant and the THC. This method works very well but for those seeking purity in their product, it is important to help you to understand that even though there is a process for separating the CBD from the alcohol or solvent used, traces of these will remain in the CBD oil. This means that you could be introducing chemical solvent into your system.

 

Distillation extraction

This method utilizes a still that creates steam and distills the oil. It works just like distilling that you probably learned in high school science lab. Yes, the process is the same as distilling alcohol. This method was the first one ever used to extract the CBD oil but is costlier, less precise and leaves too much oil behind. It is never used by industrial manufacturing companies.

 

CO2 extraction

CO2 is simply carbon dioxide. This process is done by placing the ground hemp plant into containers that are sealed and CO2 is pumped into the containers in a high concentration. The CBD oil binds with the carbon dioxide, which is then easily extracted. There are no chemicals introduced in this process, it is inexpensive, it streamlines the process and is also very good. This method gets almost every drop of the precious oil. By reducing waste, lowering cost, and creating a purer product, this is the preferred method. If the oil you are looking to purchase doesn’t state the extraction method on the bottle, don’t be afraid to ask. If an answer cannot be gotten, choose another product.

 

Where to Purchase Your CBD Oil

You have read about CBD oil. You’ve gone through the tests and you know that CBD could help your condition. You have decided to purchase your first bottle of CBD oil for Crohn’s and you have no idea where to start. First, make sure that CBD is legal in your city. Local regulations in some places may make purchasing the oil hard. Luckily, this is a rare problem. All fifty states have legalized the use of CBD oil, it is only in some small, more rural areas where a lack of understanding is causing some issues that have yet to be sorted out. The odds are very much in your favor that you’ll have no worries where you live.

CBD oil can be found in local homeopathic stores, some local herbal shops and natural grocers will also carry it. Doing a simple search for ‘CBD oil for sale’ on the internet will yield an abundance of shops from where you may purchase and have delivered.

You need to be over the age of eighteen to purchase CBD oil, but you do not need a prescription. It is relatively inexpensive compared to medications that are prescription drugs. There are several different ways that you can use your CBD oil.

 

Topically

You might try rubbing CBD directly on a joint that is sore. There are also creams made that are CBD infused already. Skin creams have been made, soaps, shampoos and more. You can shop for these products if you would prefer using a topical for your individual needs.

 

Orally

Many people simply use the dropper that comes in a bottle of CBD oil to place it directly under the tongue because it is absorbed faster by the body if taken sublingually. You can also take candies and eat baked goods that have CBD oil added into them. You can also prepare it yourself. Some people add a few drops directly into their morning coffee. Take it in whichever way is most comfortable and convenient for you.

 

Vaporized

Taking the CBD oil directly into the lungs by using a vaping pen is a popular method. Inhaling directly into the lungs as a steam gets the product into the blood stream faster than any other way and the effects can be felt within moments, almost immediately. You would have to purchase a vaping pen and the CBD oil that is manufactured specifically for vaping. This is a good option for people who wish to dose ‘as needed’ because you can vape it on the spot and feel the effects very quickly.

 

Making Informed Decisions

Whatever you choose to do, always make the most informed decisions that you possibly can. Do your own research about any treatments that a doctor recommends for you. Never be afraid to ask for another opinion. Weigh your treatment options and know potential side-effects of anything that you introduce into your body. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and include your physician in the treatments that you choose or yourself.

Good patients are informed patients. Many times, we know our bodies better than the doctor ever can and feedback from you should be welcome. Your opinion in your treatment path should be listened to also. If you and your doctor discuss the best tests, conclusions, and treatment options, the likelihood of you living without pain and discomfort is far more positive.

CBD for Crohn’s disease is a possible alternative to you feeling poorly, full of stress, and in pain. Since it won’t affect your ability to work and drive, you don’t have to put your life on hold while you take CBD oil. CBD is not addictive either. You can take it when you need it and it will never be habit forming. You will definitely enjoy the feeling of being more in control and relaxed. If you lack health insurance to pay for some of the more expensive treatment option, it may very well be an excellent option for you.

 

Sources:

• https://www.stelarainfo.com/crohns-disease/crohns-disease-treatment-options
• https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-colitis-difference#2
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353304