American woman claims hypnosis cured her genetic stomach disease. The disease had caused Amber Ponticelli to lose nine kgs and was left bedridden, unable to eat or drink for many months, the Daily Mail reported.
The 35-year-old was diagnosed with a condition called idiopathic that causes diarrhoea, vomiting, pain and acid reflux. When traditional treatment didn't help ease her symptoms, she gave hypnotherapy a try. After undergoing the unconventional therapy, Ponticelli believes medical hypnosis was the "missing piece of the puzzle" in her recovery.
Her claim supports research that indicates how perception of gut health can influence our digestive system. Experts say when a patient is hypnotized, it "reinforces the link between the gut and brain function" the Daily Mail reported.
While the condition can be difficult to detect, it does require process of elimination. Through the process of elimination more common gastrointestional conditions like irritable bowel syndrome can be detected.
A combination of medication and lifestyle changes usually treats the disease. The drugs however, vary based on the specific disease the individual has. Some gastrointestinal diseases don't always respond to medicine, Dr Olafur S Palsson, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, told DailyMail.
Dr Palsson explained hypnosis could help readjust the "brain to gut connection". Hypnosis can help in such a case, as most people are unaware that the brain controls the digestive system and plays a vital role in how it functions.
Hypnosis reportedly helps change your perception of your symptoms, thereby reducing pain and normalizing gut function. However, Dr Palsson warns that the treatment's effects are different for different people. It is not a one size fits all cure.
