Is it Possible to Faint When You Use Medical Cannabis?

Is it Possible to Faint When You Use Medical Cannabis?

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On January 23, 2023

In Medical Cannabis Treatment

For the vast majority of patients, the only negative effects of medical cannabis use are temporary dry mouth and burning eyes. Some patients may have a sudden and unpleasant side effect called “vasovagal syncope,” which is similar to fainting.

Some studies suggest that THC’s hypotensive effects contribute to these blackouts. When the pressure suddenly drops, it can be shocking to the body, and in extreme circumstances, it can cause fainting.

Although first-hand knowledge is limited, understanding the causes of and solutions for marijuana-related fainting can help keep users safe. What the research shows is this.

Link Between Marijuana Use and Passing Out

As a result of a condition known as vasovagal syncope, medical cannabis usage has been linked to dizziness and fainting in certain patients. Situational syncope, brought on by activities like peeing or coughing, and carotid syncope, in which the carotid artery becomes constricted, are two further forms.

Several considerations explain why pot consumption might lead to vasovagal syncope. The decrease in blood pressure that follows Medical Cannabis use is one such element.

One of the primary cannabinoids in medicinal marijuana is THC, which has vasodilatory effects. For this reason, people with hypertension often take medicinal marijuana, but those whose blood pressure is already dangerously low should avoid it. In addition to causing a reduction in blood pressure, THC speeds up the body’s metabolic processes in general.

Causes and Effects of Vasovagal Syncope

To put it simply, vasovagal syncope happens when the parts of the nervous system that control heart rate and blood pressure react to a stressful or upsetting input, such seeing blood or hearing a loud noise.

Your heart rate drops unexpectedly and your leg blood vessels widen. You’ll temporarily black out when blood leaves your brain and rushes to your legs.

Importantly, vasovagal syncope doesn’t require therapy and is completely painless. People can hurt themselves when fainting, for example by banging their heads on furniture (which certainly is dangerous). Your doctor may suggest diagnostic procedures to rule out more serious reasons of your fainting, such heart disease or an underlying medical condition.

Factors Increasing the Probability of Passing Out

Few research have looked at the possible links between marijuana and light-headedness. One of the key implications is that the likelihood of passing out when under the influence of cannabis is very context and individual dependent.

This suggests that those whose blood pressure is already low may be at a higher risk of being lightheaded after smoking medical cannabis.

Similar findings were shown in another study; participants who reported feeling dizzy upon standing up had lower heart rates and blood pressures than those who didn’t report feeling dizzy.

These results shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, given that medical marijuana has been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure, which can lead to fainting if not enough blood reaches the brain. While additional study is needed, it is possible that Medical Cannabis interacts with a number of different biological pathways that contribute to the fainting sensation.

Finally, the chance of passing out when smoking medical cannabis may vary depending on how it is consumed. The quick absorption of cannabinoids via methods like smoking or vaping Medical Cannabis can be a bit of a shock to the system. Edibles and oils, which take longer to take effect, may be safer for those concerned about passing out.

Warning Indicators

Before passing out due to vasovagal syncope, a person may exhibit any of the following symptoms: weakness, nausea, light-headedness, warmth, and a chilly sweat.

Some tell-tale signs of vasovagal syncope for onlookers are: dilated pupils, jerky movements, Weak or sluggish heartbeat.

In little than a minute after experiencing vasovagal syncope, most people feel normal again. It’s advisable to remain seated for 15 to 30 minutes after passing out to reduce the likelihood of passing out again.

How to Maintain Consciousness While Using Medical Cannabis

If they feel the signs of vasovagal syncope coming on, those who use medical cannabis may be able to prevent the episode in certain cases. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, lie down and raise your legs so that gravity can help maintain blood flowing to your brain. Sit with your head resting on your knees if you can’t lie down. Do this until your symptoms ease.

There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for the effects of medical cannabis and reduce the likelihood that you may pass out after using it.

Try a different strain: Changing to a lower-THC strain is one possibility, as the reduced THC content (or the fact that it is balanced with greater CBD levels) can reduce the strain’s potential to widen your blood vessels and prevent your blood pressure from dropping too low.

Sitting or lying down decreases the danger of fainting from using medicinal marijuana since the blood doesn’t have to go as far as it does when you’re standing.

If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, try opening a window for some fresh air.

If you’re suffering regular fainting episodes while taking Medical Cannabis, talk to your doctor about how to change your therapy. One option is to switch to edibles or oils, which have a much slower onset time than smoking or vaporising, giving your body more time to acclimatise to THC levels.

Summing Up

Many people might benefit from medical marijuana, but the risk of passing out is too great for most to consider it. Fortunately, those who use medical marijuana may take both long-term and immediate precautions to reduce their risk of passing out, so they can reap marijuana’s health advantages without interrupting their routine.

Finally

We know you might be curios to find out more information and discuss medicinal cannabis uses, or where to get legal medicinal cannabis products in Australia, who is authorised to prescribe medicinal cannabis products to you, and we know lots of people are also worried about the use of medicinal cannabis.

For all these inquiries; including most medicinal cannabis products available on the market, prescribing medicinal cannabis, information about smoked cannabis, how to bring medicinal cannabis product on a travel, medical conditions that can be cured by medical cannabis products, recreational cannabis, other general use of cannabis, you should schedule a consultation session today with our experts at Chronic Therapy to get medical professionals advice about any of the above mentions.

More to read: Chronic Pain Under the Left Armpit: Common Causes and Solution

Chronic Pain Under the Left Armpit: Common Causes and Solution

Chronic Pain Under the Left Armpit: Common Causes and Solution

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On January 23, 2023

In Chronic Pain Treatment

There are lymph nodes, blood arteries, and nerves in the armpit, making it a very delicate location. As a result, left armpit pain and pain are rather prevalent.

An infection, inflammation, or irritation, could make this pain range from moderate to severe. Chronic pain, though, can be a sign of something more serious going on.

Causes of Chronic Pain Under the Left Armpit

Many things, including but not limited to the following, might cause pain directly under your left arm:

Reaction to Allergens

Products like deodorants, perfumes, lotions, and body washes often cause irritation to the skin. All of these things carry the potential to irritate and even hurt someone with sensitive skin or a history of skin disorders. Redness, swelling, and inflammation are also common responses to skin irritation or allergens.

Stop using the product and go to the doctor right away if you get any sort of reaction to it, whether it’s from the deodorant or the makeup.

Shaving

Pain beneath the left arm might also be caused by an inefficient or improper shave. Infection and hair follicle inflammation are both exacerbated by the use of dull or contaminated blades. As a result, you may detect tiny, uncomfortable pimples or ingrown hairs.

Using a dull, dirty blade will just lead to more irritation. Moisturize your skin to keep it from becoming too dry and irritated by the constant rubbing.

Infection

Pain under the arm is a common symptom of a bacterial skin infection. Temperature and humidity are ideal conditions for bacterial growth. Therefore, a bacterial infection may cause pain, pain, or swelling.

Fungi and the persistent medical illness hidradenitis can also cause skin infections.

When the oil glands and hair follicles under the armpits and in the groin get blocked, a condition known ashidradenitis develops. People typically compare this to extreme acne. It’s possible that the immune system then overreacts to inflammation, leading to thick scarring and deep skin infections.

Additionally, to pain, you may experience: itching tenderness breakouts of cysts and boils galore.

Persistent Diseases

Treatment for most skin infections with antibiotics or antifungal drugs is standard practice. Surgery and anti-inflammatory drugs are common treatments for hidradenitis. Treatment with antibiotics is usually reserved for considerably more severe infections.

Use of Muscle

If you exercise regularly or are interested in sports, you may have had a muscle strain at some point. Weightlifting or participating in contact sports that require your muscles to overstretch can result in some pain and tightness. This pain might develop in your arm muscles and in your armpit area. When an injury is relatively mild, most people feel better after a week.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if the pain lasts longer than seven days despite stretching and rest, or if you develop a painful lump under or near your arm. Increased pain or a lump might be an indication of a strain or tear that may require medical attention.

Shingles

Shingles are an inflammation of the nerves produced by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The rash it leaves behind is usually painful and appears on the chest, back, and arms.

In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, this illness can also manifest as: a burning or itchy sensation in the affected area; blisters; severe pain prior to the appearance of a rash.

In order to alleviate symptoms and prevent the virus from returning, antiviral medicine is taken orally as part of the treatment plan. In the event that your pain does not subside, your doctor may recommend painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate your symptoms.

Inflammation of the Lymph Nodes

The number of lymph nodes in your body is highest in the armpit region. The cells that live in your lymph nodes aid in your body’s defense against illness. It is possible for lymph nodes to enlarge and create pain in the armpit in response to a serious viral or bacterial illness.

Breast Cancer

Swelling and soreness under the arms can also be symptoms of breast cancer. There may be no symptoms at all in the beginning stages. If the cancer has gone beyond the breast, it may have entered the lymph system, and you may have felt a lump beneath your arm. In certain cases, pain is caused by lymph nodes that have become too large.

See a doctor right away if you discover anything unusual in your armpit or chest area. Even if you don’t see a lump, you still may have breast cancer. Depending on the kind and stage of your breast cancer, different treatments may be available to you.

Angina

The chest pain associated with angina results from a brief decrease in blood supply to the heart. There is pain because the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygenated blood to keep up with its activities.

Left shoulder and armpit pain, as well as weariness, are possible symptoms of this illness. Others symptoms include dizziness, challenges in breathing, stomach pain, fever, chills, sweating, nausea, and vomiting Chest pain, neck pain, and headache Nausea and vomiting

Angina can be alleviated with medication, surgery, and lifestyle adjustments aimed at reversing the effects of coronary artery disease. The strategy includes things like stopping smoking, treating high blood pressure and cholesterol, managing diabetes, and engaging in regular physical activity.

When to Visit the Doctor for Managing chronic pain

Minor irritation or muscular tension typically causes armpit pain, although this usually goes away within a week. If, however, the pain is the result of a more significant health issue or infection, then the symptoms may persist and more comprehensive treatment may be required.

Summary

Pain in the area under your left armpit might originate from a variety of different medical conditions. However, some situations may require medical attention or perhaps surgery to ensure a full recovery.

Armpit pain, especially if accompanied by a fever or swollen lymph nodes, should not be ignored. Make sure you get the best care possible by communicating with your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options.

Finally

For more information on chronic pain management, pain disorders, chronic pain resources, psychogenic pain, effective chronic pain treatment options or other physical therapy, you should book a consultation session with a specialist at Chronic Therapy today, to give you professional advice that will suit your personal experience.

Also, for people with chronic pain who are constantly worried on how to treat chronic pain or get their chronic pain treated, our specialist at Chronic Therapy have made huge success over the year in recommending reliable resources to manage chronic pain from nerve pain or any other developing chronic pain conditions.

More to read: Is it Possible to Faint When You Use Medical Cannabis?

Tips For Dealing With Your Non-compliant Child

Tips For Dealing With Your Non-compliant Child

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On January 13, 2023

In General

Have what you’d call a non-compliant child? First off, let me promise you you’re not alone. And allow me to encourage you: parenting a non-compliant child is not easy!

That said, you CAN be successful. It just requires a new approach. What do I mean by this? Parenting a child with compliance issues (a.k.a. defiant behavior) requires some extra thought into how you speak to your child and specifically how you get them to comply with basic tasks like getting dressed, cleaning up, going potty, doing homework, etc. 

All instinctive language and communication skills go out the window as you need to learn specific strategies that allow you to reduce your child’s non-compliant behavior.

You can set yourself up for success, but it requires you to retrain your brain some when it comes to how you approach certain situations. 

What we mean by non-compliance

Non-compliance is when a child fails to start or complete a task or fails to follow an instruction.

Non-compliance is a common trait among children with autism and something that is often addressed during ABA therapy. 

The good news: we have a few basic tips to help with the day to day activities of parenting a non-compliant child.

  • Don’t ask yes or no questions. You already know why, don’t you? More than likely the answer will always be no, in which case you are just setting yourself up for failure. 
  • Give choice options for which you would be happy with either being chosen. That way, your child feels like they’re in control and you still get a positive outcome. 

Examples:

When getting dressed: “Would you like to put your shirt or your shorts on first?”

When asking your child to clean up their toys “Do you want to clean up your legos or the playdough first?”

Tips For Dealing With Your Non-compliant Child

When going potty: “Do you want to go now or would you like for me to set a timer and we can go when the timer goes off?” 

Tip: when you make a request, make sure you have enough time to follow through with it. Otherwise, you are accidentally rewarding their non-compliance and teaching them you won’t follow through with your requests. 

Let’s use another example. Let’s say you’re trying to get to an appointment or to school on time, and you tell your child to clean up their playroom. You may be setting yourself up for failure if you’re eying the clock, depending on how compliant your child is being on that particular morning.

Phrasing matters, as does preparation

If you really need them to do something, don’t ask, “will you?” or “can you?”. Use statements instead, such as, “It’s time to eat,”, “You need to go get dressed,” or “Put your shirt on please.” 

If you’re approaching a non-preferred task like a haircut, start talking about it several hours beforehand. This allows you to talk through the steps, give your child choices on how they want to begin, and to discuss a reward for completing the task.

Praise and reward

Last, but not least, be sure to praise, praise, praise and REWARD, REWARD, REWARD.

As parents, it can be so easy to overlook the positive activities that our child performs and only focus on the negative. Instead, the positive is what matters most here!

When you are praising your child, remember to be specific.

“I love how you got dressed so quickly.”

“You did such a great job eating all of your food at breakfast.”

“I’m so proud of how still you sat during your haircut today.” 

More to read: Chronic Pain Under the Left Armpit: Common Causes and Solution

How To Set Up A Token Economy For Your Child

How To Set Up A Token Economy For Your Child

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On January 9, 2023

In General

Ready to increase desired behaviors in your child, and take some of the emotional struggles out of parenting a child with special needs? A token economy, also known as token reinforcement, is easy to set up and implement.

What is a token economy?

Remember that gold star you coveted on your homework in elementary school? The potty chart your mother used when you were a toddler? Token economies in action!

A token economy is a system that rewards target behavior with a chosen token, chip, sticker, or checkmark.

Those tokens can periodically be exchanged for items or activities that are motivational to the child. Sounds familiar? Of course it does: if you have ever had a job, a token economy is just the same. You go to work and meet an expectation in exchange for money. The money, which has no value on its own, can be exchanged for things you want. 

What you need to start at token economy

Tokens:

Anything that is visible and can be counted can be used as a token. Yes, we’re starting with the obvious, here. And no need to overthink it: poker chips are an easy choice, but your tokens can be tickets, stickers, play money, or any other item of your choice. What to keep in mind: tokens should be portable, so that they can be awarded anywhere. 

A means of keeping track: 

Children need a way to keep up with their tokens that is consistent. This could be a chart, a tally system, a jar, etc.

How To Set Up A Token Economy For Your Child

A behavior target:

What behavior do you want to change? What do you hope to encourage? A list of the desired behaviors and the tokens that will be rewarded for each must be clearly listed and explained to the child ahead of time.

Most parents find it easier to choose a handful of behaviors to focus on when setting up a token economy. 

Items for exchange:

What can your child earn? Just like you (and the example of your paycheck) your child wants to know what they’re working for. An exciting menu of options that appeal to the child is the key to success for this type of program. How to do this? Create a ‘store’ of choices for which the child can exchange their tokens. Or how about presenting your child with a ‘menu’?

There are no wrong ways to go about this, as long as the rewards are clear to your child ahead of time. By the way, these items do not have to be material items. Choosing what’s for dinner, staying up late, or going to the park can all be choices for exchange. Just be sure to get your child involved in choosing the rewards they would like to earn.

Tips for your token economy

  • Choose a handful of behaviors to address, but do not overwhelm your child by trying to correct everything. Focus on a behavior where the child excels so that they can get the feeling of succeeding with the system. 
  • Frame the desired behavior in a positive manner. In other words, encourage positive behaviors instead of discouraging negative ones. Instead of, ‘don’t complain during dinner’, use ‘keep a cheerful attitude during dinner’. 
  • If the child is struggling to earn any tokens, break the task into smaller chunks and reward more frequently. Again, a feeling of success is key.
  • Reward the proper behavior immediately by handing out a token. Instant gratification is ideal for kids who are struggling with delayed consequences. 
  • Change the system as the child improves their behavior. Give tokens more sparingly and make rewards more costly to wean your child away from the token economy. 

So, does it really work?

Research shows that token economies are very effective for kids who have been resistant to all other types of intervention. The immediate delivery of a tangible reminder of good behavior keeps children motivated and helps them to stay focused. 

Another benefit: because the rewards can be varied, kids are also less likely to get bored with the system. However, by far, the greatest benefit is the flexibility of the system. If it’s not working quite right, you can tweak the system by adding rewards or breaking tasks down into smaller chunks for faster success. Parents save face, and kids progress. Win win!

More to read: Is it Possible to Faint When You Use Medical Cannabis?

Creating Autonomy For Teens And School Aged Kids

Creating Autonomy For Teens And School Aged Kids

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On January 3, 2023

In General

Welcome back! Ready to create autonomy for teens and school-aged kids? Feeling a sense of control and direction over one’s life is hugely important to school-aged kids and teenagers, and it starts in the toddler years. In addition to continuing to give choices (when reasonable) and involving kids in tasks, it’s more important than ever to name and acknowledge their feelings and give age-appropriate feedback. Autonomy for teens is crucial for school success and beyond.

Ever wonder why your teen’s friends are SOOO important to her? At this age, kids develop their own autonomy through the encouragement of peers. Therefore, your daughter’s friends’ thoughts and opinions are crucially important to her. She’s beginning the process of spreading her own wings by watching her friends spread theirs.

Give teens safe opportunities:

One of the best things I ever did for my teen was to say ‘yes’ when he asked to hike the Pacific Crest Trail across Oregon when he was 16. Was this a crazy parent move? Maybe…and it may not be in the comfort zone of many parents. But it created autonomy like crazy! Examples of smaller safe opportunities might include encouraging your child to get her driver’s license, get an after-school job, or stay home alone. School-aged kids might receive the opportunity to care for a pet or babysit a younger sibling for a short time period.

Have rules, but agree on them together:

Kids this age can have SOME say in the rules. Have you ever offered to allow your school-aged kid to choose their own punishment? You might be surprised to find out that they’re typically harder on themselves than you might be! Teens follow rules best when they can see some logic in them or understand the reasoning behind them. (They stand by of ‘because I said so’ is the opposite of creating autonomy for teens.) Allow teens to be part of the conversation when establishing curfews, and allow school-aged kids to offer their opinion on bedtime rules.

Creating Autonomy For Teens And School Aged Kids

Listen:

Don’t we all just want to be listened to, at the end of the day? Yes! Listening to the very real problems and successes of your school-aged and teen kids shows them that you value them. And kids who value themselves feel autonomy to make choices for themselves. It can be hard to listen without giving advice, or worse, solving their problems for them, but try to frame suggestions as observations. “Maybe your friend feels left out, and that’s why she’s acting this way.” Pose questions: “What do you think will make her feel better?”

Create choices:

You started giving your child reasonable, low-stakes choices as a toddler and preschooler, and now it’s time to step it up. Give your school-aged kid higher stake choices. Maybe you wish for your child to pursue an after-school activity. Compile the choices, eliminate any you are not willing to grant (maybe that karate class isn’t in the budget or that voice lesson is too far of a commute), and then allow your child to pick. Teens can be given more choice, especially if parental counseling or advice is included, and consequences are understood. For example: “Yes, you can take that AP class instead of the honors class, but if your grades slip, you will have to play an hour less of video games on the weekends.” Put the choice in your teen’s hands when possible and reasonable.

Give responsibility:

To do this successfully, give plenty of guidance, but go easy on the instructions. Parents ultimately need to leave the successful follow-through of a task or ask (curfew, for instance) in their teens’ hands. Is this easy? Heck no! But part of giving responsibility is learning to trust. And make sure your teen knows that if he loses your trust, he will no longer have responsibility, either. School-aged kids can start to learn responsibility with chores around the house, babysitting, or neighborhood jobs.

Don’t criticize peers:

Remember how much teens look to their peers? Yeah, it’s frustrating. But unless you have cause to believe your teen should have no contact with a peer, try not to criticize the small stuff. Teens see themselves reflected in their peers, so when you criticize their best friend, your teen may interpret that as criticism of themself as well.

More to read: How To Set Up A Token Economy For Your Child

Creating Autonomy For Toddlers And Preschoolers

Creating Autonomy For Toddlers And Preschoolers

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On December 22, 2022

In General

What do we mean by autonomy? Autonomy is the capacity to make an informed, uncoerced decision for oneself, or to have choice and control over yourself. Behavioral autonomy is the ability to make decisions and follow through with actions, rather than simply following along with peers or parents.

Often, we think of teenagers when we think of creating autonomy–after all, we don’t want them to be followers, right?–but autonomy starts much earlier. Have you ever heard your three-year-old say, “I’ll do it myself!” Yeah, I thought so. Toddlers and preschoolers are developing both physically and physiologically like weeds, and they crave control over their lives.

Here’s how to create autonomy for toddlers and preschoolers in your everyday life.

What you can do today to create autonomy for toddlers and preschoolers:

Role model tasks:

We do this all the time, right? “Here, watch me,” or, “Look at Mommy do it” are very standard phrases in most households. Essentially, to create autonomy for toddlers, just keep doing what you’re doing! It can help to narrate what you’re doing to draw your child’s attention, but don’t sweat it if you just go about your day modeling what you’d like your toddler or preschooler to be capable of doing solo one day.

Offer choices:

When possible and reasonable, give your toddler or preschooler two choices. You will create autonomy for toddlers by allowing for some control over his environment, which will empower him. You can offer apple slices or banana, or the blue cup or the red cup. Or how about: “Do you want to sit down or lie down for your vaccination shot?”

Creating Autonomy For Toddlers And Preschoolers

Let toddlers participate:

Yes, we know…it’s easier and faster to do a task yourself. But allowing your toddler to participate in a task is a big step toward eventual independence. Kids this age will learn through trial and error. Correct gently as you go, and try to be patient!

Listen to your child’s ideas:

Maybe you ask her, “What do YOU want to draw on the paper?” or maybe, she tells you a story or joke unprompted. Listen. Encourage. Nod along and say, “And then what happened?”. Whatever you need to do to be an active listener, do it, and she will learn that you value her and her opinions.

Acknowledge their emotions:

Everyone wants to feel that their feelings matter. And while toddlers’ emotions are typically all over the map, it’s important to acknowledge them and name their feelings. This helps give your toddler ownership over his feelings, which may often feel out of control. You can also give them solutions after helping them identify their feelings. For example: “You sound frustrated with that button. Would you like some help?”

Give them a job to do:

Preschoolers love to feel useful. Put them to work! At the grocery store, ask your daughter to help you place the food on the conveyer belt, or in the yard, ask her to hold the leaf bag. Make sure the jobs you ask of your toddler or preschooler are age-appropriate!

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