Cerebral palsy is considered a neurological disorder that is caused when parts of the brain get damaged due to loss of oxygen. Typically, it occurs during birth. Some babies, especially those born prematurely, are more likely to get the condition than others. Babies born before 32 weeks gestation are at the highest risk of being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Babies with this condition face many challenges. Besides having limited mobility, many babies with cerebral palsy will get diagnosed with other conditions as they get older.
For many of these diagnoses, prescription drugs are often recommended, but cannabis has proven to be an effective form of treatment for many conditions. Here are some ways cannabis can help patients with cerebral palsy.
Treatment for Seizure Disorders
One in five children with cerebral palsy who suffered an injury to the white matter of their brain have some kind of seizure disorder. These seizures can cause further damage to the brain, along with other complications such as aspiration, cardiac arrhythmia, dehydration, and even death.
Because of its effectiveness in treating seizure disorders, medications containing cannabis are becoming extremely popular. One such medicine has helped to decrease the number of seizures by 39%.
Treatment for Spasticity
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) just over 77% of children with cerebral palsy have a spastic form of the condition. These children struggle with something called spasticity, which increases the tightness of their muscles, causing their movements to be stiff and jerky.
Since spasticity makes it impossible for a child to relax their muscles, it can be very uncomfortable and even cause chronic pain. In one study, cannabis helped reduce spasticity for a small group of children.
Treatment for Other Conditions
Children with cerebral palsy often have many other coexisting conditions for which they are prescribed different medications. Some of these conditions include:
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Digestive issues
- Inflammation
- Chronic pain
- Sleep disorders
For many of these conditions, the only form of treatment available is prescription medications. Many of these kinds of drugs can have negative side effects. For instance, some anxiety medications cause dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches. Cannabis can be a great alternative, as it offers a natural way to treat the many conditions that commonly affect children with cerebral palsy.
For parents who want to do more research on how cannabis can help their child with cerebral palsy, there are many books on responsible use of cannabis that can be found on the internet. You can also visit a company such as Cannabis Catechism for more information.
