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Complementary and alternative medicine and gastrointestinal diseases
1Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|October 7, 2006
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly used, impacting healthcare costs and physician awareness. This review explores CAM
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Growing patient use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), with over 40% of Americans utilizing it.
- CAM's significant financial implications for the healthcare industry.
- Lack of awareness among traditional physicians regarding patient CAM use and potential therapeutic interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
- To highlight the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties of medicinal CAM agents.
- To discuss CAM use in liver disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of CAM usage in gastrointestinal conditions.
- Analysis of studies on CAM's anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects.
- Focus on patient populations with chronic liver disease, IBS, and IBD.
Main Results:
- CAM is frequently employed by patients managing chronic diseases.
- Medicinal CAM agents are often chosen for their proposed anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic benefits.
- Specific focus on CAM applications within liver disease, IBS, and IBD patient groups.
Conclusions:
- CAM represents a significant component of healthcare, particularly for chronic gastrointestinal conditions.
- Understanding CAM use is crucial for comprehensive patient care and managing potential interactions.
- Further research into CAM efficacy and safety in gastroenterology is warranted.
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