“The best of both worlds” KEM’s integrative treatment approach is unique in the country
20.11.2014 12:02
On November 15th, around 250 affected people found out about the possibilities of interdisciplinary treatment methods for chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at a doctor-patient seminar. The Essen-Mitte Clinics (KEM) and the German Crohn's Disease/Ulcerative Colitis Association (DCCV) were invited to the Essen House of Technology. It became clear: the combination of conventional medicine and complementary medicine
Around 400,000 women and men in Germany live with chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as Chrohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. In both cases, these are incurable chronic diseases of the intestines, which can be associated with severe pain and diarrhea and often with other secondary illnesses such as joint problems, eye inflammation, but also impairments of the liver, bile and pancreas. With an integrative approach that specifically combines conventional medicine and scientifically proven healing methods from naturopathy and complementary medicine, the Essen-Mitte clinics enable effective and holistic care for affected patients. Prof. Dr. Jost Langhorst, head of the Center for Integrative Gastroenterology at the KEM Clinic for Naturopathy and Integrative Medicine: “This means that the Essen-Mitte clinics are uniquely positioned nationwide.”
In addition to drug and surgical treatment, the care model also includes targeted phytotherapy and acupuncture, as well as holistic approaches such as those used in so-called mind-body medicine. The latter particularly influences eating and exercise habits, promotes a health-conscious lifestyle as well as relaxation techniques and stress reduction. Langhorst: “The fact is that over 90 percent of IBD patients want a combination of conventional and complementary medicine, i.e. the best of both worlds.” Nutrition, stress management, naturopathic self-help strategies and immunosuppression were also the focus of the intensive workshops the specialist lectures followed, the focus was on: Thanks to the consistent mix of theory and practice, the participants in the seminar were comprehensively informed - especially with regard to current treatment options.
It became clear that every treatment must be individually tailored and tailored to the respective diagnosis. Private lecturer Dr. Peter Hoffmann, Director of the Department of General Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Diabetology: “Every single patient needs individual care, depending on the type of illness and its severity. And it is precisely in these points that the experience of the doctors who carry out the treatment is important.” It must be clear that the use of cortisone, for example, is “not an all-purpose solution”. Instead, the KEM expert recommended looking at the opportunities associated with early combination therapy compared to standard therapy. Hoffmann: “The fact is: modern medications can now partially avoid operations or at least reduce their number.”
If an operation is unavoidable, it should always be carried out as gently as possible, as Prof. Dr. med. Dr. hc Martin K. Walz, Director of the Clinic for Surgery and the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery at the KEM, explained. “And I mean gently with regard to the intestines and the patient.” Surgical removal of a section of the intestine is no longer necessary in every case. “The options for stricturoplasty are diverse.” Scarring in the intestinal wall or strictures could now be operated on while preserving the affected section of the intestine. For this reason, the most modern methods of minimally invasive surgery (“keyhole surgery”) are specifically used at the KEM. In addition, the focus is deliberately on rapid rehabilitation of the patient in order to avoid typical side diseases of bed rest - thrombosis, for example.
Like many serious chronic illnesses, IBD also has an impact on the patient's mental well-being. A problem area that is also being addressed at the KEM. Dipl. Psych. Gesa Janssen-Schauer, head of the psychotherapy department: “The symptoms of IBD are often accompanied by mental illnesses – depression, anxiety disorders and somatization disorders, for example.” In addition, those affected are often socially isolated and hardly dare to go outside. “A well-founded psychotherapeutic treatment can therefore make a decisive contribution to recovery, especially conscious stress reduction. Because studies have also shown that stress definitely makes the clinical picture worse.”
Conventional medical care based on the latest scientific findings in medication and surgical techniques, sound psychological support and naturopathic or complementary medical strategies - KEM guarantees comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment of IBD at all times. In addition, the Essen-Mitte clinics are currently conducting various studies, including the use of yoga and phytotherapies for IBD. Langhorst: “Our goal is to scientifically substantiate these methods and thus integrate them into clinical care. This is the only way that as many patients as possible can benefit from it in the long term.”