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Does a Cannabis Prescription Help Palliative Care?

Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. A cannabis prescription for palliative care may provide relief from pain, nausea, and anxiety, improving physical comfort and emotional well-being. Cannabis can offer a holistic approach to palliative care, enhancing the patient’s overall quality of life.

Palliative Care: What is it?

A comprehensive method that helps patients and their families cope with the hardships of a life-threatening illness achieved through controlling the physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms of severe diseases or ailments. This may be expressed through providing pain treatment, symptom relief, and emotional support. Focusing on giving patients comfort and dignity, regardless of their prospects.

When Should Palliative Care be Made Available to Someone?

Palliative care is made accessible when you or a family member is diagnosed with a serious or terminal illness, such as heart failure, advanced dementia, or cancer. It emphasises easing symptoms, discomfort, and emotional suffering while enhancing the overall quality of life. This type of care can be administered alongside curative therapy at any stage of the illness to provide patients and their families with all-encompassing support and comfort. Palliative care’s purpose is to offer:

  • Details regarding the individual and their family
  • A comprehensive and accurate evaluation of a person’s requirements
  • Symptom management
  • Assistance in terms of psychology, society, religion, and practicality
  • Open lines of dialogue with the individual and their relations

Signs of Palliative Care

The symptoms that a patient goes through during a life-threatening disease vary depending on the situation. However, typical signs may include:

  • Tiredness Pain
  • Diminished appetite
  • Constipation
  • Respiratory fluids
  • Nausea and diarrhoea
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Uncertainty and agitation
  • Tiredness and weariness
  • Muscle tremor or paralysis

When Will This Sort of Care Start?

Because the purpose of palliative care is to decrease stress, symptoms, and pain, it can begin at any moment. This sort of care can be utilised in combination with curative therapy from the time of diagnosis, during the course of the disease, and even beyond death. The goal is to improve comfort and well-being while addressing bodily, emotional, and spiritual needs. The objective is to manage symptoms with as few medicines as possible. The type of medicine, such as medical marijuana, to be taken is determined by the severity or mechanism of the ailment.

When first-line medicines are unable to provide sufficient clinical relief, medicinal cannabis products may be taken into consideration.

Palliative Care Treatment

The treatment given is guided by the five phases of palliative care. These consist of:

  • Putting up a customised strategy to make sure that all emotional, mental, and spiritual requirements are met
  • Giving support on an emotional and spiritual level to get ready for whatever may come
  • Early-stage care, which focuses on meeting urgent needs,
  • Late-stage care, where additional long-term strategies are implemented. Aside from offering assistance during a loss, one may also provide support for relatives throughout their care.

Medicinal Cannabis and Palliative Care

Limited information is currently available regarding the utilisation of medical cannabis within the realm of palliative care. However, there has been a surge in curiosity surrounding the medicinal application of cannabis following its legalisation for medical purposes in 2018. In cases where conventional medications have proven ineffective in alleviating symptoms, medical cannabis could serve as a potential alternative for individuals grappling with this condition.

Easy and Private Cannabis Prescription Assessment

MARUCANNA makes the private cannabis assessment process fast and easy. Start with a free eligibility check, answer a short questionnaire, and receive an instant decision. Eligible patients will have a virtual consultation with a doctor.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Palliative Care

How can I determine that I require palliative care?

People suffering from a major illness, such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, or renal failure, may endure mental or physical discomfort. If you’re having difficulty dealing with your discomfort, palliative care may be for you. You don’t have to wait until your illness is advanced or you’re in your last months to begin palliative care. If you’re thinking about initiating palliative care, consult with your doctor first. To get started, ask your doctor to recommend you to a palliative care expert. If he or she does not recommend it, you can get a reference from your health care practitioner.

Does using palliative care mean I'm dying?

Not always. Palliative care is intended to ease symptoms such as pain, breathing problems, or nausea, among others, as well as reduce stress in patients and their families. Palliative care can be used at any point once a severe illness has been diagnosed.

What are the advantages of palliative care?

Palliative care has been demonstrated in studies to provide several advantages for both patients and their relatives. According to research, people who get palliative care have fewer symptoms, more emotional support, and higher patient and family satisfaction.

What are alternatives to morphine in palliative care?

Alternatives to morphine in palliative care include opioids like fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydromorphone, which can provide strong pain relief without some of morphine’s side effects. Non-opioid medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or corticosteroids may also help manage pain or inflammation, depending on the patient’s condition. For nerve-related pain, drugs like gabapentin or pregabalin are often used.

Another option increasingly available is medical cannabis, which can be prescribed in palliative care. Cannabis, particularly strains containing both THC and CBD, can help manage chronic pain, improve sleep, and reduce anxiety, making it a valuable alternative for those looking for non-opioid pain relief. Always consult with a healthcare provider to explore the best option based on individual needs.

Is medical cannabis used in palliative care?

Yes, medical cannabis is increasingly used in palliative care to help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. Healthcare providers may prescribe cannabis to alleviate pain, reduce nausea, stimulate appetite, and address anxiety or insomnia. By providing relief from these distressing symptoms, medical cannabis can enhance the overall comfort and well-being of patients during their treatment.

What are cannabinoids in palliative medicine?

Cannabinoids are compounds derived from the cannabis plant that play a significant role in palliative medicine. Two primary cannabinoids, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce various therapeutic effects. THC is known for its pain-relieving and appetite-stimulating properties, while CBD is often used for its anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic effects. By utilising cannabinoids, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to address specific symptoms and improve the overall comfort of patients in palliative care.

Are there different cannabis strains that can be used for palliative care?

Yes, there are various cannabis strains for palliative care available in the UK through prescription, tailored to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, anxiety, and appetite loss. THC-dominant strains, like Bedrocan, are often prescribed for their strong pain-relieving and relaxing effects, while CBD-dominant options such as cannabidiol-rich oils can help with inflammation and anxiety without significant psychoactive effects. Balanced hybrid products are also used to provide a mix of benefits. Accessing these treatments requires consultation with a specialist doctor as part of the UK’s medical cannabis programme.

Can cancer patients use THC?

Yes, cancer patients can use THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to help manage symptoms, under medical supervision. THC may alleviate acute pain from cancer or treatments like chemotherapy, reduce nausea and vomiting, stimulate appetite, and promote relaxation to ease anxiety or improve sleep. Its interaction with the endocannabinoid system helps modulate pain and inflammation. However, effects vary, and side effects like dizziness, confusion, or increased heart rate may occur. Cancer patients should consult their healthcare provider to ensure THC is safe with their treatment plan and to determine appropriate dosing and administration methods.