How does Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome Medical Marijuana card works in Michigan?

Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome Medical Marijuana in Michigan is a syndrome that leads to dramatic weight loss and severe muscle wasting. It can be caused by certain diseases, such as cancer, AIDS, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other illnesses that affect the body's ability to fight infection. The medical marijuana card in Michigan can help with this condition by stimulating appetite and reducing nausea.

Cachexia is also known as Wasted Syndrome - Weight Loss - Muscle Wasting - Malnutrition Symptoms include: Significant weight loss- 50 pounds or more over six months; Extreme weakness- difficulty standing up from a chair; Weakness in arm muscles- arms are too weak to lift what would normally be an easy task; Sagging skin- loose skin on the upper arms, thighs, and abdomen; Significant decrease in muscle mass- The circumference of your wrists is less than half of what it was before; No appetite- no desire to eat despite having an empty stomach; Nausea and vomiting- nausea is severe enough that you vomit more than once a week; Fatigue - extreme fatigue is severe enough that you need to rest after going about your routine activities; Dizziness or lightheadedness- happens several times a day.

The weight loss associated with cachexia can be so rapid that the body's immune system is compromised, making it difficult for the body to fight off infection. (For example, in AIDS patients.) Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome Medical Marijuana in Michigan is also associated with difficult-to-treat pneumonia. Patients diagnosed with cachexia have a very poor prognosis, and by some estimates, up to 50% of patients already have terminal cancer before being diagnosed.

The threat from the wasting syndrome of death makes it imperative that we seek treatment for these symptoms early on. We must prevent this syndrome from ever destroying the quality of our lives.

What Have Other Approaches Failed?

Nutrition and vitamins: While it is true that patients who start with good nutrition have a greater chance for survival, saying nutritional supplements can be an effective treatment for cachexia in the long-run has not been proven. Many patients also find that the appetite stimulants they receive from physicians are not strong enough to induce a sufficient appetite. Appetite stimulants can also pose a risk of addiction, plus there is always some percentage of patients who don't react well to them.

Medical marijuana and cachexia: Research on this topic has shown that cannabinoid receptors play an important role in stimulating appetite. Also, delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduces nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain caused by cancer chemotherapy and may be useful in treating cachexia. In addition, cannabinoid receptor agonists (THC) help stimulate the appetite by increasing ghrelin levels, the "hunger hormone" that stimulates our digestive tract to produce hydrochloric acid and gastric juices needed for proper digestion.

1. Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome is a syndrome that leads to dramatic weight loss and severe muscle wasting. There is always some percentage of patients who don't react well to them
2. Research on this topic has shown that CANNABINOID RECEPTORS play an important role in stimulating appetite. Cannabinoid receptor agonists like tetrahydrocannabinol may be effective in treating cachexia by inducing hunger and stimulating the appetite center in the hypothalamus
3. In addition, while cannabinoid receptor agonists (THC) help stimulate the appetite by increasing ghrelin levels, the "hunger hormone" stimulates our digestive tract to produce hydrochloric acid and gastric juices needed for proper digestion.

 Cachexia

Interviews with Health Professionals:

The best way to learn about your condition is directly from medical professionals specializing in the specific condition. The following links offer well researched and informative information on the subject of cachexia from trusted specialists who are authorities in the field:

WebMD: Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome Medical Marijuana in Michigan that help you in treatment.

"Cachexia is a metabolic disorder that causes severe weight loss despite an increase in appetite. It occurs most often when patients have advanced cancers or chronic illnesses like AIDS."

WebMD: Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)

"Cachexia is a metabolic disorder that causes severe weight loss despite an increase in appetite. It occurs most often when patients have advanced cancers or chronic illnesses like AIDS."

 Family Doctor: Health Info for Families

“The word "cachexia" comes from Greek roots meaning "bad nourishment."

 “Among the diseases that cause cachexia are cancer, AIDS, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also occur after surgery to remove a tumor. Researchers aren't sure exactly what causes it; however, they think it may be linked with an increased level of cytokines—proteins that cause inflammation in the body.”

 Mayo Clinic: Cachexia

"Cachexia is a condition in which you waste away, even though you are eating enough. It's often seen in people with serious illnesses, such as cancer or AIDS."

 What is cachexia?

The word “cachexia” comes from Greek roots meaning “bad nourishment.” It is a condition in which you waste away, even though you are eating enough. Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome Medical Marijuana in Michigan is often seen in people with serious illnesses such as cancer or AIDS.

 What causes cachexia?

Researchers aren't sure exactly what causes cachexia, but they think it may be linked with an increased level of cytokines—proteins that cause inflammation in the body. These inflammatory proteins are thought to prevent your body from using protein and fat as energy sources, slowing down your metabolism.

How is cachexia diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose you with cachexia by looking at how much weight you've lost and by measuring your body mass index—a measurement of weight about height. These tests are used to see if a person is normal body weight, underweight, overweight, or obese.

Types of Cachexia

There are three main types of cachexia:

What treatments are available for cachexia?

There are no proven treatments that can cure cachexia. Some people have success with palliative care, which is a treatment to help manage cancer symptoms and prolong life. Examples of supportive therapy include:

What is the prognosis for a person with cachexia?

Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome Medical Marijuana in Michigan isn't fatal on its own, but it can make it hard for you to recover from other conditions. The length of time and type of cachexia treatment is dependent on the specific condition that is causing it.

Conclusion

The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act of 2008, also known as the MMMA, legalized medical marijuana use for patients with certain debilitating conditions. Anyone under 18 cannot receive a card if they have any condition other than epilepsy or cancer. The act has specific provisions that protect employers from liability due to employees authorized by law to possess and consume cannabis following this act while at work.