Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a lung disease that develops scarring and rigidity, making it difficult to breathe. It may prevent your body from getting enough oxygen, which can lead to heart failure, respiratory failure, and other complications.
The good news is that a patient with a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis is eligible to receive an MMJ in Lake Charles. To get access to MMJ visit TeleLeaf in Lake Charles today!
Can Medical Marijuana Help Patients of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Medical marijuana (or cannabis) is being discussed a lot in the medical community for a range of chronic ailments, but might it also help people with Pulmonary fibrosis?
Anti-inflammatory drugs and treatments are usually helpful since pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by inflammation. Researchers discovered that THC in marijuana has anti-inflammatory characteristics, which they believe explains why patients who use cannabis have better lung function.
Medical marijuana has been found to be effective in lowering inflammation, increasing sleep, alleviating pain, strengthening the immune system, and reducing phlegm, according to the Lung Institute.
What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition caused by scarring and damage to lung tissue. It’s more difficult for your lungs to perform properly because of this thicker, rigid tissue. As your pulmonary fibrosis progresses, you will become increasingly short of breath.
A variety of variables can contribute to the scarring associated with pulmonary fibrosis. Doctors, on the other hand, are frequently unable to determine what is causing the condition. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a disorder that occurs without a known etiology.
Although the lung damage produced by pulmonary fibrosis cannot be reversed, medication and therapies can assist to alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
Causes for Pulmonary Fibrosis
The tissue surrounding and between the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs scars and thickens as a result of pulmonary fibrosis.
It becomes more difficult for oxygen to enter your bloodstream as a result of this. Long-term exposure to certain chemicals, certain medical disorders, radiation therapy, and some drugs, among other things, can cause damage.
Occupational and environmental factors
Long-term exposure to a number of toxins and pollutants can damage your lungs.
These include:
- Silica dust
- Asbestos fibers
- Hard metal dusts
- Coal dust
- Grain dust
- Bird and animal droppings
Radiation treatments
Some persons who get radiation therapy for lung or breast cancer develop lung damage months, if not years, following the treatment.
The extent of the damage may be determined by:
- What percentage of the lungs were exposed to radiation?
- The overall amount of radiation given, as well as whether or not chemotherapy was employed.
- Whether or whether there is an underlying pulmonary disease
Medical conditions
Lung damage can also result from a number of conditions, including:
- Dermatomyositis
- Polymyositis
- Mixed connective tissue disease
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
- Pneumonia
Medications
Many medications can harm your lungs, particularly those such as:
- Chemotherapy medicines are drugs that are used to treat cancer. Methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup, and others) and cyclophosphamide, which are used to kill cancer cells, can harm lung tissue.
- Medications for the heart. Amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone), a medication used to treat irregular heartbeats, may destroy lung tissue.
- Antibiotics, to be precise. Lung damage can be caused by antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin, and others) or ethambutol.
- Medications that reduce inflammation. Lung damage can be caused by anti-inflammatory medicines including rituximab (Rituxan) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
Treatments for Pulmonary Fibrosis
- The goal of drug treatments is to stabilize or slow the rate of scarring in the lungs. People with IPF who have lung function tests that fall within a defined range can be treated with specific anti-fibrotic medicines.
- Inflammation in the lungs is treated with steroids or other immunosuppressive medications.
- If the allergen causing the symptoms can be identified, it’s critical to avoid being exposed to it in diseases like hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
- Any medications that are creating problems with your lungs will be discontinued.
Medical Marijuana as An Alternative Form of Treatment
According to the Lung Institute, medical marijuana and pulmonary fibrosis treatment could also help in:
- Improving sleep
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing phlegm
- Supporting the immune system
- Easing pain
Pulmonary fibrosis, like any other illness, can be painful. However, you can obtain some alleviation from its distressing symptoms.
You can check out Teleleaf.com to get your medical marijuana card in Lake Charles.