A brief summary of the condition, it’s causes,
common symptoms and treatment pathways
and how Medical Cannabis could help.
A brief summary of the condition, it’s causes,
common symptoms, treatment plans
and how Medical Cannabis can help.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the colon (section of the large bowel). It is a lifelong disease that can arise at any time, but the most common age for diagnosis is 15-25 years.
Common symptoms include diarrhea, blood in your stool, urgency to open your bowels, and abdominal pain.
Ulcerative Colitis is the most common type of inflammatory disease of the bowel and affects 1 in 400 people in the UK.
It is not known what causes Ulcerative Colitis, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Flares occur where the body’s immune system is triggered by factors such as bacteria and viruses that cause inflammation in the wall of the bowel.
Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis very much depends on the severity and the location of the disease.
Aminosalicylates are medications that help reduce inflammation. Localised inflammation affecting the lower part of the bowel / rectum, can often be managed with topical treatments such as suppositories.
Where larger areas of the bowel are affected, or if the inflammation / symptoms are severe, patients can be given long courses of oral steroid tablets.
Medical Cannabis can help different symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis.
Cannabidiol (CBD), in particular, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce the intestinal inflammation seen in Ulcerative Colitis.
Abdominal pain is a common symptom in Ulcerative Colitis patients, especially during flare-ups. Medical Cannabis, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), interacts with CB1 receptors located in the nervous system. This can reduce the transmission of pain signals and provide relief from the abdominal pain and cramping associated with active Ulcerative Colitis.
Medical Cannabis may also help to reduce loose and frequent / urgent bowel movements, which are common symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. This is done by THC slowing down gut motility by acting on CB1 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract.
Another common gut side effect is reduced appetite and therefore weight loss, particularly during flare-ups or when experiencing nausea from medication. THC activates CB1 receptors in the part of the brain which regulates hunger and satiety, potentially helping Ulcerative Colitis patients regain their appetite and avoid malnutrition, which is common during severe disease activity.
As with other chronic illnesses, Ulcerative Colitis patients frequently suffer from anxiety and depression due to the impact of the disease on daily life. Medical Cannabis, particularly CBD, interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, which can help stabilise mood and aid better quality of sleep.
Suffering from a medical condition can be awful, the last thing you want to do is wait months for treatment.
Making sure you are seen and treated as soon as possible is one of our top priorities.
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4.8 overall rating on Google
May 2024
Where do I start?! I have to admit I was very nervous, considering I have tried numerous treatments for my fibromyalgia and EDS and had a medical prescription 3 pages long and really complex medical issues. I was in an awfully high level of pain, even with all that.
Every single staff member from reception, nurses, pharmacy and my lovely Dr Vanessa Hutchinson have been consistently friendly, professional, helpful and incredibly fast in progressing me from initial online enquiry to receiving my prescription (just under 2 weeks and we had the Easter 4 day break in-between!).
In this very short time, my pain levels have reduced significantly (as have my other medications!). I cannot recommend this clinic enough. Thanks CB1 MEDICAL 🙂
March 2024
Staff really nice, and keep in touch to monitor my progress and any questions I may have. I feel very comfortable talking about my situation as no judgement or negative feedback. I feel like my life, health and symptoms are being taken seriously but with care.
Follow up appointment over the telephone was relaxed, no rushing, he answered all the questions about my medication and progress without prejudice, sarcasm and was so easy and a breath of fresh air. I can say that if you are thinking of treatment and support like nowhere else then you will be in very caring and professional hands that really do make you feel that you are important and heard with respect and understanding. 5 stars are not enough.
October 2024
My life has been transformed since starting medical cannabis with CB1 Medical.
Dr Richard Pertwee was friendly and so knowledgeable. The relief I’ve experienced has been nothing short of miraculous. The quality of life I now have is something I never thought possible, started to smell the roses eg I’m incredibly grateful to you all.
Highly recommend it to anyone who is struggling or has ineffective medication.
April 2024
I know when you pay for an appointment, you expect a different service, but honestly, this is beyond what I expected. The appointments were scheduled quickly, and happened within days, mostly late evenings to fit around my work. The doctors listen and I didn’t feel like I was being judged as just a junkie after pain meds. That’s how I feel in an NHS appointment.
The meds were delivered quickly and I got to using them right away. In the last 11 days, I’ve used painkillers once, and only paracetamol. This is down from multiple painkillers multiple times every single day. And I sleep so much better as well.
