Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

The relevance of functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and their impact on quality of life for many patients has become an increasingly important topic in gastroenterology. A gastroenterologist can expect to see 40% of patients for motility and functional GI disorders, thus highlighting the necessity for physicians to have a strong foundation of knowledge in treatment strategies for these patients with complex disorders. A significant number of patients who suffer with functional GI disorders turn to complementary and alternative therapies to maintain control over their symptoms and often are happy with therapeutic results. This narrative presents information and treatment algorithms for the gastroenterologist to better understand and use some of the most common complementary and alternative therapies for patients with functional dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, and irritable bowel syndrome.