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There is a reason more than 140,000 Missouri residents have a medical marijuana card. Patients dealing with hundreds of medical conditions are finding relief with cannabis. You may be surprised to find that those who have suffered a stroke may find their recovery is eased with the aid of medical marijuana.
What Is a Stroke?
The CDC defines a stroke, which is also known as a brain attack, as an event that “occurs when something blocks blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.” The brain needs oxygen in order to work properly. It receives oxygen through the flow of blood. If that flow is blocked, brain cells begin to die, which is what causes a stroke.
What Are the Symptoms of a Stroke?
In some instances, a stroke can be fatal. The good news is that, with modern medical advances, fewer Americans die of a stroke than in the past. With current treatments, many stroke victims may also be able to prevent a disability as a result of their condition.
According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, some of the signs and symptoms of a stroke include the following:
Trouble with speech and comprehension - Those suffering from a stroke may have difficulty speaking and understanding others. They may experience confusion, the slurring of words, and have a hard time discerning the meaning of what others are saying.
Paralysis and/or numbness - Stroke victims may experience sudden numbness, weakness, or even paralysis of an arm, leg, or part of the face. When these symptoms occur, they will affect only one side of the body. A good way to tell if this is happening is to raise both hands above the body. If one side begins to fall, you may be suffering a stroke. Another way to tell if this is happening is to look at your face in the mirror. If one side of your face is drooping, you may be experiencing a stroke.
Trouble with walking - Those who are suffering a stroke may experience dizziness and stumbling alongside balance and coordination issues.
Headaches - Of course, there are many different reasons a headache may occur, so a headache isn’t always a sign of a stroke. The type of headache that signals a possible stroke is more extreme than normal. Stroke victims may experience a sudden, severe headache that causes dizziness, vomiting, or an altered level of consciousness. If this occurs, you may be suffering a stroke.
Eyesight problems - Sudden blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes is a possible sign of a stroke.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above stroke symptoms, seek medical help immediately. Seconds count during a stroke, and the faster treatment is received, the better a chance the patient has of a full recovery.
An acronym to help you remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke is B.E.F.A.S.T. Those letters stand for Balance, Eyes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911.
How Can Medical Marijuana Help Missourians Recover from a Stroke?
After having a stroke, the road to recovery can be difficult. Many patients who are recovering from strokes have found that medical marijuana has made a significant difference for the better.
Some studies have shown the cannabinoids found in medical marijuana can significantly help stroke victims by blocking a neurochemical in the brain called glutamate. By blocking this chemical, additional brain damage is slowed down, promoting healing and normal brain function.
One of the major factors that makes medical marijuana a candidate to help stroke victims are the pain relieving properties of cannabis. A study done in for The Journal of Pain focused on the effects of THC for neuropathic pain, which is one of the types of pain that stroke patients often face.
This study, published in 2012, showed that THC, when administered in low to moderate doses, relieved the pain for stroke victims by up to 30 percent. Cannabis may also help with spasticity, which is the muscle tightness that occurs after abnormal or prolonged muscle contractions. Stroke victims often suffer from spasticity, so this is further indication that those who have suffered from a stroke could benefit from getting their Missouri medical marijuana card.
You Deserve All the Relief You Can Get
If you or someone you know has suffered a stroke, you know you need every advantage on the road to recovery. If you are ready to see if medical marijuana can help, all you’ll need is a Missouri medical marijuana card. If you don’t have your card yet, we’re here to help. Our medical staff is standing by to take you through a quick and easy evaluation to see if you qualify. Schedule an appointment with a marijuana doctor online by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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