The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that there are about 34.2 million Americans with Diabetes. But the confirmed cases of Diabetes are just the tip of the iceberg. The CDC also estimates another 88 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Or the symptoms that mean they are likely to develop diabetes in the future.
When someone has diabetes, their bodies are not able to manage sugar levels. High blood sugar means that the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. When the body has too much sugar, insulin is released to metabolize (burn) or store glucose.
Diabetes is often called the silent killer. People can have the disease and not know it for years. In fact, many people find out when they have a blood test for another health problem. There are three different types of diabetes. They are gestational, Type 1, and Type 2.
What is the Impact of Diabetes on Patient Health?
If diabetes is managed effectively, many of the chronic disease symptoms may not happen. However, if someone can’t control their blood sugar with medication and diet, they can experience many problems.
One of the most common symptoms that people with diabetes experience is neuropathy. This is nerve pain that happens after nerves become damaged by high sugar levels. The most common place for neuropathy to occur is in the feet and legs. And when that happens, the individual can feel hot and cold sensations and loss of circulation. It can also feel like your feet and toes are numb and having painful pins and needle-like feelings.
Patients with diabetes want to control symptoms of:
- Pain
- Overstimulated appetite and cravings for carbohydrates
- Numbness and circulatory problems
- Cardiovascular problems
- Impairment of major organs including the kidneys and the digestive system
Another big problem for people diagnosed with diabetes relates to their immune system defenses. Did you know that diabetes makes it harder for the body to fight off bacterial and viral infections? That is a problem that can be life-threatening. And because of problems with circulation, many people who have diabetes do not respond well to medications. That includes prescription pain, medicine, and antibiotics.
How Can Medical Cannabis Help People Living With Diabetes?
When blood sugar levels are too high, cells become damaged. That means that every cell in your body cannot do the job it is supposed to do. When the cell becomes impaired like that, it’s called oxidative stress.
A study called “The beneficial effects of a Cannabis sativa extract treatment on diabetes-induced neuropathy and oxidative stress. The University of Milan discovered that Sativa strains of cannabis could help symptoms of diabetes. And that Sativa’s were best for hyperglycemia. .”
Sativa strains of medical marijuana have over 60 cannabinoids. But the Sativa dominant strains also have more phytocannabinoids. The CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in your body detect pain. It is part of the on/off switch for inflammation and pain. And if the button doesn’t ‘turn off,’ the patient can be in a constant state of distress.
The phytocannabinoids (more science here) are antioxidants. They help repair damaged cells. And that also includes the same CB1 and CB2 nerve receptors that detect pain. Regular use of medical cannabis could help reduce painful symptoms. Restoring healthy cells can also improve immune system functioning.
