Gastroparesis—delayed gastric emptying—is a long-term dysfunction of the digestive system that impacts quality of life. It is usually characterized by the failure of the stomach to expel its content at the appropriate time and relapse to nausea, vomiting, bloated abdomen, and stomach aches, among other symptoms.
This study aims to assess the barriers to treatment among patients residing with gastroparesis. Modern allopathic drugs, for the most part, afford little consolation, and many patients, even after observing recommended treatments, have constant complaints. This has forced many to look for other treatment options, and medical marijuana finally comes into the picture.
Read on to find out what benefits of medical marijuana exist in treating gastroparesis, how to obtain the desired medical marijuana card, and why many patients choose Connecticut and medical marijuana as their treatment solution.
What is Gastroparesis?
The Basics of Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a chronic disorder that refers to the dysfunction of stomach muscles that then leads to a delay in gastric emptying. This signifies that food will stay in the stomach for a very long time than it is supposed to, and this results in several symptoms. Some signs associated with gastroparesis include Nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety, and abdominal pain. In bad cases, it results in negative body alterations such as malnutrition and weight loss because the body is unable to absorb the nutrients from foods.
How to Obtain The Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut
How Do You Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut?
Gastroparesis is among the conditions for which a person can apply for a medical marijuana card in Connecticut. Eligibility criteria include a diagnosis of gastroparesis from a treating physician, endoscopist, or specialist. It is quite easy to get a medical marijuana card, especially nowadays, when people can speak with certified healthcare provider online through telemedicine services.
How to Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card
To apply for a medical marijuana card in Connecticut, follow these simple steps:
Consult with a Certified Healthcare Provider
Your first action will be to set an appointment when visiting a healthcare provider who is licensed to offer recommendations on medical marijuana. Most physicians these days are affiliated with Telemedicine, so acquiring a recommendation has always been challenging while sitting at home.
Submit Your Application
When you finish a consultation with your doctor and they say that you meet the criteria, he or she will send your medical marijuana recommendation to the Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program. You will then be required to submit your own application, which requires identification and proof of residence.
Pay the Application Fee
In Connecticut, one has to pay to get a medical marijuana card. The telemedicine marijuana recommendation fee is usually $179 for first-time patients and $149 for patients who need a marijuana recommendation renewal each year. These fees refer to consultations and doctor recommendations.
Get Your Card and Go to a Dispensary
After this, you will have been certified to visit the qualified dispensaries in Connecticut for prescribed marijuana products.
Medical Marijuana as an Effective Complementary Therapy for Gastroparesis
Why Traditional Treatments May Not Be Enough
Gastroparesis treatment generally involves trial and error, which frustrates most patients. Usually, doctors suggest changes to the client’s diet, such as consuming more frequent but smaller portions of food or avoiding foods that are high in fats and fibers; however, these measures hardly work.
One source of relief for some patients is drugs that promote stomach contractions, such as metoclopramide or erythromycin, yet they have side effects. In worst cases, a patient may even need a gastric pacemaker, a rather invasive treatment, which is usually considered when all others fail. While for a great number of patients, these options offer only partial relief, this builds up the demand for other options like medical marijuana.
How Marijuana Can Assist the Gastroparesis Patient
It also has been regarded as useful in alleviating symptoms of gastroparesis, thus increasing interest in medical marijuana. Marijuana contains cannabinoids, which include THC and CBD, and the drugs work on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which has a function of moderating multiple functions in the body, including digestion. The effects of cannabinoids include less nausea, appetite stimulation, and decreased abdominal pain – which are all concerns for patients with gastroparesis.
Clinical Practice and Evidence
More studies are coming up advocating the use of marijuana in gastroparesis, and this is based on clinical research. One of the earlier surveys done on a group of patients with refractory gastroparesis reported that most of them achieved a considerable degree of improvement in their symptoms when using medical marijuana.
According to the same patients, they were able to reduce the severity of nausea, vomiting, and appetite; thus, their quality of life was enhanced. Even as the research is still being conducted, many patients are now using cannabis as an adjunct therapy.
Advantages of Medical Marijuana to Management of Gastroparesis
Symptom Management
To the patients with gastroparesis, the report means that they can benefit from using medical marijuana to alleviate such signs as nausea, vomiting, and belly ache. When patients forgo isolates in favor of cannabis products that are designed to ease particular symptoms, they find that a great many do better, indicating that they can now eat and digest their food with much less pain and discomfort and are leading a better life.
Appetite Stimulation
Stimulant appetite has been identified as one of the strong outcomes to be expected from the use of medical marijuana, especially for gastroparesis patients. This leads to problems with nutrition since patients with this condition are easily nauseated and have early satiety. Cannabis has been revealed to enhance appetite and ensure the patient gets the required nutrients for body health.
Gastroparesis and Cannabis: How to Select the Proper Product
Cannabis products are available on the market depending on the type of product the grower or producer uses.
Some of the different medical marijuana products include oil, tincture, oral edible products, and vaporizers. For gastroparesis patients, those products that can be easily taken and have fast and quick results such as the tincture or the vaporized products. One should, however, speak to his/her doctor or a well-informed staff member at the dispensary when selecting a suitable product for consumption.
Finding the Right Dosage
The dose varies with the intensity of the symptoms found in the affected individual and the general physical condition of the patient. If you take a small amount and stick to the doctor’s prescription, you can gradually increase it to the best possible dose needed to remedy the pain and reduce the side effects.
Conclusion
For gastroparesis patients in Connecticut, medical marijuana is becoming an increasingly viable option for managing symptoms that traditional treatments may not fully address. With telemedicine making it easier than ever to get a marijuana card, patients can consult with a certified healthcare provider, submit their applications, and obtain the relief they need.
If you’re struggling with gastroparesis and haven’t found adequate relief through conventional treatments, consider exploring medical marijuana as an alternative. With the right guidance and support, you can take control of your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Call to Action: If you or a loved one is living with gastroparesis and would like to explore medical marijuana as a treatment option, schedule an online consultation today with a certified healthcare provider to start the process of obtaining your medical marijuana card.
FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for a medical marijuana card in Connecticut for gastroparesis?
If you have a diagnosis of gastroparesis from a certified healthcare provider, you likely qualify for a medical marijuana card in Connecticut.
What is the cost of getting a medical marijuana card in Connecticut?
The cost for a marijuana recommendation via telemedicine is $179 for new patients and $149 for recurring yearly renewals.
Is telemedicine an option for getting a medical marijuana recommendation in Connecticut?
Yes, telemedicine is a convenient and accessible way to consult with certified doctors online and receive your medical marijuana recommendation.
What type of medical marijuana products are best for gastroparesis?
Products such as tinctures, oils, and vaporized cannabis are often recommended for gastroparesis patients due to their quick action and ease of ingestion.
How long does it take to get approved for a medical marijuana card in Connecticut?
Once you submit your application, it usually takes a few weeks to receive approval and obtain your medical marijuana card.
