January 11th, 2010
How Do You Spell Relief for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
I admit it. I’m frustrated. I do not know how to manage a substantial portion of my IBS patients because so few of them get relief from traditional therapies (bulking agents, antidiarrheals, tricyclic antidepressants, etc.).
Recently, I noticed that many of my colleagues are using Align probiotics, Iberogast herbal supplements, and other alternative/complementary therapies for their IBS patients. So, I diligently re-reviewed the literature on these treatments but came away more confused than ever; the studies are varied and usually small, the endpoints are unclear, and the follow-ups are short. Yet, my colleagues and their patients seem a whole lot more satisfied with the outcomes than I am.
Do you use alternative treatments for IBS? If so, what do you use, and what responses are you seeing?
22 Responses to “How Do You Spell Relief for Irritable Bowel Syndrome?”
M. Brian Fennerty, MD
Editor-in-Chief
NEJM Journal Watch Gastroenterology
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We work regularly with IBS clients using hypnotherapy. We can see good results in about 80% of the clients. This is in line with Peter Whorwell’s research who is the leading researcher on IBS in the UK.
The role of bacterial overgrowth in IBS is controversial.There are Many treatment options, but limited quality research.!!