Evaluation of a Functional Medicine Approach to Treating Fatigue, Stress, and Digestive Issues in Women

Abstract Fatigue, stress, and digestive disorders are common among adults, especially women. We conducted a 28-week pilot study to assess the efficacy of a functional medicine approach to improving stress, energy, fatigue, digestive issues, and quality of life in middle-aged women. Findings showed s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Complementary therapies in clinical practice 2016-05, Vol.23, p.75-81
Main Authors: Cutshall, Susanne M., APRN, CNS, Bergstrom, Larry R., MD, Kalish, Daniel J., DC
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Complementary Therapies
Cortisol
Dehydroepiandrosterone - analysis
DHEA
Fatigue - therapy
Feces - microbiology
Feces - parasitology
Female
Functional medicine
Humans
Hydrocortisone - analysis
Internal Medicine
Medical Education
Middle Aged
Nursing
Pilot Projects
Quality of Life
Saliva - chemistry
Stress
Stress, Psychological - therapy
Surveys and Questionnaires
Visual Analog Scale
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Summary:Abstract Fatigue, stress, and digestive disorders are common among adults, especially women. We conducted a 28-week pilot study to assess the efficacy of a functional medicine approach to improving stress, energy, fatigue, digestive issues, and quality of life in middle-aged women. Findings showed significant improvements in many stress, fatigue, and quality-of-life measures. The treatment program increased mean salivary dehydroepiandrosterone levels and the cortisol-dehydroepiandrosterone ratio. Stool sample analyses suggested that these treatments reduced Helicobacter pylori infections. This study suggests that functional medicine may be an effective approach to managing stress and gastrointestinal symptoms.
ISSN:1744-3881
1873-6947
DOI:10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.03.005