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People with chronic health issues like IBS often are "medically curious," or eager to find new information about medications and treatments that might help them to manage IBS symptoms better.
As part of this research, people tend to come across information about "complementary and alternative medicine," or CAM, a term that covers therapeutic practices as different as aromatherapy, chiropractics, herbal supplements and reflexology. Perhaps you have also heard about CAM treatments and wondered if they hold hope for helping to improve your IBS symptoms.
Differences of opinion
Many doctors in the United States and other Western countries are skeptical or at least uncertain about CAM. Some CAM therapies, such as acupuncture, have been used for centuries in other cultures. But these therapies have not necessarily been evaluated in clinical trials or through testing to assess their effectiveness or safety.
CAM approaches also tend to have a spiritual or self-healing component that can make them difficult to study in a "scientific" way. For these reasons, CAM often exists somewhat outside the mainstream of modern medicine, although some health centers are integrating CAM treatments such as massage into their care for certain types of patients.
Make informed decisions
With that in mind, you certainly should learn as much as you can about CAM if you have an interest in alternative approaches to treating your IBS symptoms.
Talk to your doctor, too. CAM therapies, like conventional medical treatments, could have side effects, interactions with other treatments and unexpected results.
Since IBS is a common and complex disorder, it is an active area for medical research, including CAM. Here are some CAM therapies that have been used and studied as IBS treatments.
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| Acupuncture: In this ancient Chinese practice, thin needles are inserted into the skin with little or no pain to stimulate particular areas of the body. The goal is to bring the body into a more healthful balance. Some people with IBS have used acupuncture to relax muscle spasms and improve bowel function. |
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Herbs and supplements: Certain herbs, including chamomile and evening primrose, may have beneficial effects on the digestive system and have been used in teas, oils or capsules to reduce spasms and irritation in the intestine. Peppermint oil also is a natural remedy that may relax the smooth muscle in the bowel.
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| Hypnotherapy: Hypnosis, in which a trained hypnotist eases a person into a highly calm mental state, may help to relax the digestive system.
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Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms or "good bacteria" found in foods, particularly yogurt, as well as certain supplements. They are similar to the bacteria that live in healthy intestines and help with digestion. Some studies have suggested that people with IBS may not have the right balance of good bacteria and that adding more of these beneficial organisms through probiotics could help to reduce symptoms.
In addition to alternative approaches, learn about the full range of treatment options for IBS symptoms, such as diet changes, fiber, medications, exercise and stress management.
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