CBD for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis impacts many Americans’ ability to work, due to a combination of joint pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of motion. Over time, this issue can become debilitating.
Many sufferers look to CBD oil to provide relief from the inflammation and pain associated with RA, which comes in a number of forms and dosage levels. Medical consultation is necessary for guidance to avoid incurring negative side effects from CBD.
Rheumatoid arthritis can have a major impact on your day-to-day life. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of work disability among American adults. Because of this severe impact, it shouldn’t be surprising that many people are turning to CBD for relief.
To better understand if CBD can help, it’s essential to understand what rheumatoid arthritis is, what are its causes, and what is the science behind CBD. Along with this information, it’s important to see a doctor before changing or adjusting your arthritis medications.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
RA is an auto-immune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue, including the lining of the joints. This can cause pain, swelling, and deformity.
These symptoms don’t always progress linearly. Instead, those with RA may experience bouts and fits of pain, followed by a lull in symptoms. However, over time, these flares of symptoms can grow debilitating. Because of this, it’s critical to seek a diagnosis from a doctor as soon as you experience any of the potential symptoms:
- Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth
- Loss of joint function or increasingly limited range of motion
- Swelling and redness of the joints
Upon examination, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. While there is no specific test for rheumatoid arthritis, several different tests can help with diagnosis.
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
There’s no known specific cause for rheumatoid arthritis, though genetics is thought to play a role. Some other risk factors may also trigger the disease:
- Age
- Exposure to asbestos or silica
- Gender
- Obesity
- Smoking
Typically, women are more likely to be diagnosed with RA than men. Currently, most medical experts are unsure as to why that’s the case.
Can CBD Help Those With Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A recent review of research found that CBD reduces inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis without incurring additional side effects. This is important, as inflammation is the immune system’s response to a potential threat. In RA, the immune system treats healthy cells as if it were an invading foreign body or virus. By tempering the inflammatory response, CBD may help the immune system to act normally.
While there are many ways to use CBD oil, there’s no specific recommended dosage of CBD oil for rheumatoid arthritis. If you purchased a cream containing the cannabinoid, the CBD can be applied directly to your skin where you’re experiencing pain or discomfort. CBD is widely regarded as safe but can cause some side effects. The most common side effects of CBD oil are diarrhea and fatigue.
Before taking CBD or adjusting your medication, consult with your doctor. A medical professional can help you understand how CBD may impact your current treatments.
