Dr. Benjamin Han, a seasoned geriatrician and addiction medicine specialist at the University of California, San Diego, often shares anecdotes with his students to highlight the potential risks associated with cannabis use among elderly individuals.
One such cautionary tale involves a 76-year-old patient suffering from insomnia. Like many seniors grappling with sleep issues, she found it challenging to fall asleep and would frequently wake up in the middle of the night. Seeking relief, her daughter offered her some edible cannabis candies known as sleep gummies.
“She tried a gummy after dinner and waited half an hour,”
Dr. Han recounted. Sensing no effects, she consumed another gummy, followed by yet another – totaling four gummies over several hours. In advising patients on cannabis usage, Dr. Han emphasizes the importance of starting with low doses and gradually increasing intake – typically recommending products containing just 1 or 2.5 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in many cannabis products.
In this particular case, however, each gummy ingested by the elderly woman contained a potent dose of 10 milligrams of THC leading to unforeseen consequences. The woman soon began experiencing intense anxiety and palpitations due to her underlying conditions of hypertension and atrial fibrillation – a type of heart arrhythmia commonly referred to as AFib.
While a younger individual might have dismissed these symptoms casually, they posed significant risks for this elderly patient. Fearing for her health, she sought medical attention at an emergency room where tests confirmed that she was not having a heart attack. Fortunately, after receiving appropriate care and evaluation, she was discharged with no lasting physical effects except for some residual embarrassment as Dr. Han recalled.
However, this incident raises crucial questions about what could have happened if her reaction had been more severe; What if she had experienced dizziness or lightheadedness resulting in a fall? Dr. Han noted instances where patients had sustained injuries from falls or mishaps while driving under the influence of cannabis.
Moreover, there is concern regarding potential interactions between cannabis and prescription medications that individuals like this patient may be taking concurrently. Such drug interactions can have unpredictable effects on one’s health and well-being further underscoring the importance of cautious cannabis consumption practices among older adults.
Expert Insight:
Dr. Han stresses:
“Start low; go slow when it comes to using cannabis products among older adults.”
As society grapples with evolving attitudes towards marijuana use across different age groups including seniors seeking relief from various ailments like insomnia through alternative therapies such as cannabis-based products; it becomes imperative for healthcare providers to educate themselves and their patients about the potential risks involved in these treatments – especially when dealing with vulnerable populations such as aging individuals who may be more susceptible to adverse reactions due to underlying health conditions.
In conclusion,
age-related physiological changes coupled with existing medical conditions can amplify the health risks associated with marijuana use among older adults necessitating informed decision-making processes both from a clinical perspective and within individual households where seniors may consider exploring unconventional remedies like cannabis-based products for managing their health concerns.
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