Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGID): Is there a role for Herbal Medicine?
Recently as part of the Australian Gastroenterology Week Conference, Flordis sponsored a breakfast seminar entitled Modern Concepts of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGID): Is there a role for Herbal Medicine? This was presented by Professor Gerald Holtmann, Director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Professor of Medicine, University of Queensland. (see videos below).
Part 1 Professor Gerald Holtmann talks about herbal medicines for digestive disorders
Part 2 Professor Gerald Holtmann talks about herbal medicines for digestive disorders
FGID are a group of conditions for which no underlying structural or biochemical cause has been identified. Symptoms are chronic and recurrent, and vary among patients.1,2 FGID have been accepted as the key disorders of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and functional dyspepsia (FD), of which there is a considerable overlap between the two. Differential diagnosis includes peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, gluten sensitive enteropathy or somatisation disorder.
Prof. Holtmann presented that there is no known cure for FGID, conventional medicine focuses on symptomatic relief via dietary changes and use of prokinetics and in some situations medications such as tricyclics antidepressants or simethicone. This may also be combined with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to address any co-morbid psychiatric conditions.
Prof. Holtmann presented the role for a specifically clinically proven herbal medicine Iberogast (STW 5) which is a unique 9 herbal combination multi-targeted product which addresses the multisymptom nature of FGID.
Prof. Holtmann explained that the accumulated scientific evidence, including his own trials, have demonstrated Iberogast’s efficacy.
He comments, “I was really stunned when I saw the results of the first placebo-controlled study. It was the most effective treatment I have ever seen in these patients.”
“And it is not just effective in regard to the symptoms. It is effective with regard to patients that were unable to work, which has huge economic implications. It is working, and it is clearly working better than most chemically defined compounds, if not at all.”
For more information on herbal medicine contact the clinic on 0719142940. If you are in Australia contact Flordis on 1800 334 224
References:
1 Philips SF, Wingate DL ‘Functional Disoprders of the GUT’ – Revised Edit: Churchill Livingstone
1998
2 Locke GR Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 1996;25 (10):1-19
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