Seniors are very generous people. They have been giving all through their lives and are very open to sharing what they have. So, it should come as no surprise that one of the main things they share is their medications.
Got a backache? No problem…here take one of these…I didn’t need them all. Colds, flu, headaches, body or toothaches, trouble sleeping? We’ve usually got a few “leftover” pills that will get you over the hump.
In the medical world, polypharmacy (the prescription of multiple drugs) is an urgent issue. Many seniors are taking 15 to 25 pills a day. Surprised? I was. I also found it to be a frightening statistic.
Even scarier, most seniors had more than one doctor prescribing medications – and most of these doctors were not sharing information with one another.
In my career working with senior citizens, whenever practical, I pleaded, pushed and bullied them into swearing they would always go to the same pharmacy. It was the most I could do at that time.
Your pharmacist is your friend. He or she is the only one who knows what medications are contraindicated with each other and which side-effects are the most common or alarming. With everything your doctor has to do to keep up with his practice, tracking all the medications on the market is an unrealistic expectation.
So, what can we do to be more proactive about our health? More and more seniors are turning to medical cannabis.
What is Medical Cannabis?
Interestingly enough, cannabis has been used for thousands of years. Some of the earliest recorded references are found in the writings of Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi in 2900 BC!
While medical cannabis comes in various forms, they are all derivatives of the cannabis plant with a high content of CBD (cannabinoid) and have little or no presence of the THC (∆9- tetrahydrocannabinol), the cannabinoid that creates mind-altering, psychoactive effects.
Throughout history, marijuana has been used in many forms, including oils, balms, boiled teas, and of course, a dried, smokable herb. Today, you’ll find medical marijuana comes in many of these same forms, with the inclusion of candy bars, tinctures, concentrates, and even soft drinks.
What good does it do?
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the current medical conditions able to be treated with medical marijuana include:
Chronic pain afflicts seniors and increases with aging. Arthritis and other autoimmune conditions cause pain in joints, the spine, and throughout the body. They treat them with over-the-counter pills, rubs, and lotions. They treat pain with prescribed medications including opioids. And, they seek relief with chiropractic care, massage, and acupuncture.
According to AARP, “older adults report misuse of painkillers more than any other type of prescription drug. Over 40 percent of older adults have chronic pain that is often treated with opioids, sometimes for long periods of time. Though the health effects of long-term opioid use among older adults need to be studied further, opioid use among older adults may increase the risk for falls, delirium, fractures, pneumonia, and all-cause mortality.”
Medical marijuana, however, has proven and acknowledged anti-inflammatory properties. Whether smoked, eaten, or applied as a transdermal treatment, medical cannabis connects with the brain to relieve intense and chronic pain — without fear of addiction, according to reports.
Cancer is also a growing fear among senior citizens. But medical cannabis offers benefits. Cannabis has a demonstrated anti-emetic benefit to reduce nausea and vomiting attached to chemotherapy. Even the FDA has approved the use of Marinol and Cesamet for fighting nausea.
Cost:
Out-of-pocket prices charged at medical cannabis dispensaries may seem high thanks to the taxation. But, compared to the cost of prescribed medications, cannabis derivatives can be cost-effective. Chain pharmacies and big box stores are starting to feature cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, and skincare items including CBD oil and Hemp oil. FDA Approved.
And many seniors are researching recipes online to make their own lotions and creams.
Perhaps it’s time to give this medication some more thought…
Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.
By the way, the opinions expressed above, along with the facts, are those of our columnist and might or might not agree with those of The JOLT's ownership and management. Which are, for now, the same. Plus, neither of us are physicians, so don't consider the above to be medical advice. Find a naturopath, medical doctor, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner or another qualified provider for that kind of advice. Anyway, don't sue us if you try cannabis and don't like it.
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