Medical Cannabis for HIV/AIDS Patients

HIV/AIDS prevents the body from effectively fighting off infection. It is a serious condition that (unfortunately) has no cure. However, there are treatments available to patients that can help reduce the symptoms caused by HIV/AIDS. In this patient education article, we are going to discuss the benefits of medical cannabis for patients with HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS

HIV (short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. The virus specifically attacks the body’s T cells – whose function is to fend off disease and infection. As the virus progresses, it can destroy such a large number of these T cells that the body is unable to defend itself against diseases and infections.

There are 3 stages of HIV:

Acute HIV Infection
Clinical Latency
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

The symptoms of HIV/AIDS can range from mild to severe. Here are a few of the most common symptoms:

Flu-like symptoms: fever, sore throat, fatigue
Weight Loss
Recurring Infections
Nausea
Headaches
Pain in the abdomen and throughout the body

Medical Marijuana as Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for AIDS. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. Medical cannabis can help curb many of the symptoms of HIV/AIDS – including headaches, nausea, and pain. Contact an approved medical marijuana provider to see if you are a good candidate.

Minnesota Medical Marijuana Clinic

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota, we make it a point to provide compassionate, one-on-one care to every patient we treat. Our double board-certified pain management doctors have decades of experience providing care for patients throughout the Twin Cities. We are also certified to prescribe medical marijuana in Minnesota. With clinics in Edina and Minneapolis, we are fully equipped to diagnose and treat your pain. Contact our Minnesota pain doctors today to set up your appointment.