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Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Complementary and alternative medicine for the irritable bowel syndrome
1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Rabb/Rose 1, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Gastroenterology Clinics of North America
|February 22, 2011
Summary
Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) often use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) due to limited conventional treatments. This review examines evidence for CAM therapies like prebiotics, acupuncture, and herbal medicines in managing IBS symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent chronic gastrointestinal disorder.
- IBS symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating, often proving difficult to manage with conventional medicine alone.
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses diverse therapies frequently used alongside conventional treatments for chronic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of CAM therapies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- To focus specifically on the roles of prebiotics, acupuncture, and herbal medicines in IBS management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on CAM interventions for IBS.
- Analysis of studies investigating prebiotics, acupuncture, and herbal medicine efficacy.
- Evaluation of evidence quality and clinical relevance.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests potential benefits of prebiotics in modulating gut microbiota for IBS symptom relief.
- Acupuncture shows promise in alleviating abdominal pain and improving overall IBS symptoms in some studies.
- Certain herbal medicines demonstrate efficacy in reducing IBS-related discomfort and improving bowel regularity.
Conclusions:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) offers viable options for patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
- Prebiotics, acupuncture, and specific herbal medicines represent promising CAM approaches for IBS management.
- Further high-quality research is warranted to solidify the role of these CAM therapies in evidence-based IBS treatment protocols.
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