{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/muscular-dystrophy/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1900-markdown","title":"Can Medical Marijuana Provide Relief for Muscular Dystrophy?","slug":"can-medical-marijuana-provide-relief-for-muscular-dystrophy","content":"Muscular dystrophy is a group of over 30 inherited diseases that\r\nnegatively affect normal muscle functions in the body. Generally,\r\nmuscular dystrophy leads to skeletal muscle weakness, as well as the\r\nreplacement of normal muscle cells with fibrosis and fat. This condition\r\nis mostly prevalent among young boys and may start to manifest in early\r\ninfancy. In some cases, it may not show up until late adulthood.\r\nDuchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of this disorder,\r\nand is characterized by general muscle degeneration and weakness.\r\n\r\nAccording to a [2007\r\nstudy](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5840a1.htm) by the\r\nUnited States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that\r\nexamined the prevalence of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy among\r\nmales aged 2 to 24 years, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) affects 1 in\r\n3,500 male births, while Becker muscular dystrophy affects 1 in 18,518\r\nmale births. The type that most commonly affects adults is called\r\nMyotonic muscular dystrophy. Muscular degeneration is continually\r\ndegenerative and manifests differently according to the individual.\r\nWhile some people with this condition will eventually lose the ability\r\nto walk or sit, some may have trouble swallowing and even breathing.\r\n\r\nMuscular Dystrophy Management\r\n-----------------------------\r\n\r\nCurrently, there is no known cure for muscular dystrophy. All of the\r\ncurrent treatments are targeted toward the management of symptoms and\r\nthe prevention of complications. Symptoms vary according to the type of\r\nmuscular dystrophy and the level of progression. Steroids are often used\r\nto slow the progression of the condition, while physical therapy,\r\nsurgery, nutrition adjustment and the use of ventilators to help with\r\nbreathing may help in managing the condition.\r\n\r\nMedical Marijuana and Muscular Dystrophy\r\n----------------------------------------\r\n\r\nMuscular dystrophy is due to the absence of a key protein needed to\r\nmaintain the integrity and proper function of muscles. Where muscle\r\ntissue is damaged, muscle bulk will be reduced. It may also be replaced\r\nwith fat and excessive scar tissue, making the muscles appear larger\r\nthan normal. Cannabinoids in medical marijuana are effective against\r\npain, one of the most common effects of muscular dystrophy. A [1977\r\nclinical study](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/903049) by the\r\nNational Institutes of Health (NIH), to find out the level of muscular\r\ndystrophy in mice after treatment with cannabinoids, showed that THC and\r\nCBD (marijuana compounds) may help alleviate the effects of muscular\r\ndystrophy.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbudde/2713972334/in/photolist-58PPqs-gwYHKe-bTj9cT-nTdNb8-6Uqrn6-pMBGMf-nJX1C6-5ipaaG-d7qFGA-qJQ35f-dFhLor-7AVM3Z-dQruLv-dZDGqt-eA3bNx-bfW2uT-psRuMf-9tAaP7-bbwxHg-da5kr4-fBicNi-aofsGZ-kuAkyf-nMehgQ-92XodD-3PnwbM-7gjaap-bbtaLP-a7NX8w-an2f2G-Jjo2S-ewNHQt-ajDyuc-dDtuv5-dDtu2A-9vtNF1-q4ZXGn-6BdD4Q-c8WqrN-9AEx97-6FiZAM-ugh5QP-5TVqT8-drLeip-6P1H4o-8rxgqb-7YJqM8-9RF1vi-xJbZs-2SmfSo)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAANABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQFAv/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAB2rSm4XhMb//EABkQAQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwARIf/aAAgBAQABBQKZ5vDWtMQRHcuVof8A/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD/2gAIAQMBAT8BJ//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEf/aAAgBAgEBPwGMr//EABoQAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAxEQUaH/2gAIAQEABj8Cy3ospScP/8QAGxAAAwADAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERITFBUXH/2gAIAQEAAT8ho2ISlY3zR8zhkS/AzVVKrDS5KvB//9oADAMBAAIAAwAAABBkP//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEf/aAAgBAwEBPxA2P//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEQIf/aAAgBAgEBPxAIbD//xAAdEAEBAAIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQAhQTFRYXGB/9oACAEBAAE/EFqS0PZwRG95MGtxI1yIZV4i8Ll5h6j7jKiQQRwdc//Z","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/14b42/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/f836f/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 200w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/2244e/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 400w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/14b42/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 800w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/47498/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 1200w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/ec6c5/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/58556/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/61e93/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 200w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/1f5c5/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 400w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/58556/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 800w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/99238/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 1200w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/135cd/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5546,"name":"Muscular Dystrophy","slug":"muscular-dystrophy","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}