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Hypnosis should be offered to patients with IBS, Swedish research suggests

Date:
December 18, 2012
Source:
University of Gothenburg
Summary:
Hypnotherapy helps fight IBS symptoms, according to research from Sweden which proposes implementing this treatment method into the care of severe sufferers of this common disease.
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Hypnotherapy helps fight IBS symptoms. These are the findings of a thesis from Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden which proposes implementing this treatment method into the care of severe sufferers of this common disease.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is an very common stomach disease that manifests as abdominal pain and discomfort, disturbed bowel movements, abdominal swelling and bloating. Recent studies indicate that 10-15 percent of all Swedes suffer from IBS to varying degrees.

Yet researchers still do not know what causes the condition and no effective treatment is available for those suffering from most severe symptoms.

Studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, show that psychological treatment using hypnosis may offer effective, lasting relief. The studies are part of a thesis which concludes that hypnotherapy should be used in clinical care of patients with severe IBS.

"We have four different studies showing that hypnotherapy helps treat IBS, even when the treatment is not provided by highly specialized hypnotherapy centers. The treatment improves gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life, and patient satisfaction is very high. The method also makes efficient use of health care resources," says Perjohan Lindfors, doctoral student at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.


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Materials provided by University of Gothenburg. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


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University of Gothenburg. "Hypnosis should be offered to patients with IBS, Swedish research suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 December 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121218094234.htm>.
University of Gothenburg. (2012, December 18). Hypnosis should be offered to patients with IBS, Swedish research suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121218094234.htm
University of Gothenburg. "Hypnosis should be offered to patients with IBS, Swedish research suggests." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121218094234.htm (accessed November 20, 2024).

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