Does Hepatitis C Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Ohio?
Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the liver. Hepatitis is usually caused by a virus, but can also arise as a response to medications or toxins. There are five different types of hepatitis, classified as A, B, C, D, and E. A different virus is responsible for each of the different subtypes of the condition.
The most common form of the condition is hepatitis C. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 3.9 million Americans are living with a chronic form of hepatitis C. The disease is highly contagious and is spread through blood-to-blood contact. Up to 25% of people who contract hepatitis C will be able to clear their body of the infection without treatment. But, the majority of people with the disease require treatment with intense drug regimens. Now, people living with hepatitis C in Ohio can also access medical marijuana to help ease the symptoms of the condition.
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver. For some people, the virus clears up in a matter of weeks. For others, hepatitis C is a chronic, lifelong condition that can severely damage the liver.
There are two types of hepatitis C: acute and chronic. The acute version of the disease occurs within six months of exposure to the virus. Some people easily recover from the acute infection, but for most people, it leads to a chronic form of the condition. Chronic hepatitis C is a serious illness that can last for the duration of one’s life and lead to serious medical problems like cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Symptoms of hepatitis C include fever, dark urine, lack of appetite, or stomach pains. But, up to 80% of people experience no symptoms at all. It is possible to be living with hepatitis C and be unaware that you have the condition; most people with chronic hepatitis C exhibit no symptoms. But, blood tests can confirm the presence of the virus.
Medical Marijuana and Hepatitis C
Treatment for hepatitis C typically involves taking a combination of antiviral medications for anywhere from 24 to 48 weeks. But, these medications oftentimes have unpleasant side effects. For this reason, people living with hepatitis C may seek out a treatment alternative or a way to help manage the side effects of treatment.
Cannabis can be an effective tool to help deal with the side effects of hepatitis C treatment. Common side effects of the antiviral medications used to treat hepatitis C include nausea, aches and pains, and poor appetite. Studies show that medical marijuana can help combat all of these symptoms. Specifically, cannabinoids, chemical compounds found within marijuana, are known to help combat nausea caused by pharmaceuticals. Medical marijuana eases the negative side effects of antiviral medications and thus makes people with hepatitis C more likely to stick to their treatment plan.
In addition to easing the side effects of treatment, cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has anti-inflammatory effects. Research has shown that cannabis can have therapeutic effects for people with chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis.
3 Easy Steps
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with one of our friendly marijuana doctors at any location throughout the State!
Step 2
Visit our office for your
in-person evaluation with a state-certified medical marijuana doctor.
Step 3
With the doctor's approval, you'll receive your card via email from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
Medical Marijuana Doctors Can Help
While marijuana is not a cure for Hepatitis C, it can help make people with the condition much more comfortable. As with any medication, you should always discuss cannabis with a physician before initial use. If you are interested in using cannabis to help manage your symptoms, schedule an evaluation with an Ohio Marijuana Card doctor today!