Medical Cannabis & Gastrointestinal Conditions

Explore personalised treatment options tailored to your unique needs and symptoms, and take the first step towards a healthier gut.

Overview

Gastroenterological conditions refer to any illnesses or issues affecting the digestive system, including but not limited to the oesophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine (also called the colon), the rectum and the anus. Such conditions are more common than you might think. For example, one in every 200 people in the UK have some form of inflammatory bowel disease, and that is just one sub-section of gastroenterological conditions. They can have a wide variety of ongoing symptoms that affect the person’s quality of life each and every day.

Conditions

There are many different types of gastroenterological conditions, each with their own unique symptoms and treatment options. They include:

  • Crohn’s disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Colitis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Symptoms

Because gastroenterology refers to a range of different conditions, symptoms will likely vary from person to person and depending on the specific condition. However, there are some common symptoms to look out for. Patients may suffer from:

  • Bloating and gas
  • Recurrent constipation or diarrhea
  • Digestive issues
  • Experiencing difficulty swallowing
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Sudden shifts in bowel movements

A person may experience all or none of these symptoms. For some conditions, symptoms can also be triggered by certain foods or by changes in dietary habits.

Treatments

Treatment depends largely on the exact condition being dealt with, as well as the individual’s medical history and the severity and regularity of symptoms. Some common forms of treatment for gastroenterological conditions include:

  • Endoscopic ultrasounds that examine the upper and lower GI tract and other internal organs
  • Colonoscopies
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  • Sigmoidoscopies
  • Liver biopsies
  • Capsule endoscopies
  • Double balloon enteroscopies to examine the small intestine

Most of these procedures are designed to examine and diagnose gastroenterological conditions. From there, treatment is often based in surgery or behavioural changes, such as adopting a different diet or avoiding certain foods.

Latest Insights

Discussing all things medical cannabis in the UK