Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints. The two types are, osteoarthritis, which affects the cartilage lining of the joint first and rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the outer covering of the joints. Arthritis affects more than 10 million people in the UK of varying ages, although it is most common as people get older.
The symptoms for Arthritis vary in severity and the occurrence of symptoms will depend on the type of arthritis the individual has.
The majority of forms of arthritis share similar symptoms, such as:
Arthritis is caused by the wearing down of cartilage around the joint. Circumstances that can speed up or increase the wearing down of the cartilage include:
Treatment options will largely depend on the individual's form of arthritis.
Treatment for osteoarthritis include:
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis include:
Exact treatments will often depend on the severity of the condition and any external factors, such as other existing conditions, age, and overall health of the patients.
Various studies indicate there is a positive correlation between medical cannabis and arthritis. Medical cannabis alongside traditional methods of treatment has been seen to improve symptoms for those suffering from osteoarthritis, with marked improvements in quality of life. Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties that could also help reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
Our specialist physicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine whether medical cannabis could be an effective option.
