Embargoed for Release Until: Monday, October 16, 2000
Contact: Sharon Burns 202-973-2934
Stacey Ward 202-973-5879[email protected]Alternative Therapies for Gastrointestinal Disorders Gain Acceptance Among Consumers
NEW YORK, October 16, 2000 -- This study presented at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) (October 16- 18th) indicates a rise in the public's acceptance of alternative therapies for gastrointestinal disorders, especially when standard or conventional therapies do not eliminate all the symptoms.
Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center and George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C., surveyed 52 men and 98 women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to determine the prevalence of alternative medical practices. IBD is a common medical disorder characterized by chronic irritation of the lining of the small intestine or colon which is generally associated with diarrhea, and may be associated with fistula, bleeding and bowel obstruction.
"Alternative medicine practices are used more commonly in the United States than conventional wisdom suggests," said lead investigator Marie Borum, M.D., of Georgetown. "About 33 percent of our sample population of 150 patients with IBD used alternative medicine practices, and of these patients, 95 percent were taking conventional medications concurrently."
The patients who relied on alternative medicine reported using fish oil, dietary changes, nutritional supplements, herbal supplements, exercise, massage, therapeutic touch, yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, biofeedback, and acupuncture. Most patients felt the alternative medicine helped alleviate the symptoms of IBD.
"As alternative practices become more widely used, it will be even more necessary to evaluate their potential effectiveness as adjuncts to conventional methods of therapy," said Dr. Borum.
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The ACG was formed in 1932 to advance the scientific study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the needs of clinical gastroenterology practitioners. Consumers can get more information on gastrointestinal disorders through the following ACG-sponsored programs:
* 1-800-978-7666 (free brochures on common gastrointestinal disorders, including ulcers, colon cancer, gallstones, and liver disease)* 1-800-HRT-BURN (free brochure and video on heartburn and GERD) * www.acg.gi.org (ACG's Web site
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