Acupuncture Relieves Side-Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs

Scientists discovered that acupunture gives relief to Human Immuno Virus patients from bloating, cramping, and appetite lose, symptoms which are often caused by side effects of popular anti-HIV drugs.

Highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) drugs for HIV prolongs life. However it also causes serious digestive problems for which patients are likely to avoid their medications. According to researcher Elizabeth Sommer, MPH, Research Director of the AIDS Care Project / Pathways to Wellness in Boston, acupuncture is found to be minimizing side-effects of HAART drugs. This will make patients more comfortable in continuing with their medications and allow them to have better quality of life.

“Anything we can do to minimise side effects and maximize adherence to treatment is important. acupuncture is one such way.” says researcher Sommers.

In International AIDS Society 50 HIV patients who were suffering from different digestive problems by the side effects of the HIV drugs received 6 weeks of acupunture. Within three weeks only 60% of them had two or more digestive problems.

Previously 20% of AIDS patients who were under treatment complained about its side effects. After this therapy half of them reported improvement. According to Hal Huff, ND, naturopathic doctor at Canadian College - “We give acupuncture in conjunction with other treatments such as dietary changes and nutritional supplements, so I can’t say for certain whether it’s the acupuncture or the whole package that results in improvement. But people report fewer digestive problems and improved compliance with their AIDS medications.”

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