Description
Although concentrating on Crohn's disease this book also has chapters on ulcerative colitis to explain the similarities and differences between them. Dr Tom Smith describes what is happening in the course of IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases) and how modem medicine is used to relieve and prevent the serious complications that caused so many tragedies in the past
He explains how the normal bowel works, how it can go wrong and, if it becomes inflamed, why it can produce the three main symptoms of diarrhoea, bleeding and mucus. lf these symptoms continue your health may deteriorate quickly
This book covers the methods by which doctors can deal with your Crohn's disease and help you towards recovery. Dr Smith describes the tests and investigations provided in a modem gastroenterology unit as the specialist makes the diagnosis and estimates the extent of the illness. It is not just the illness but how much of the bowel is affected that makes the difference in treatment and how quickly and completely recovery is made
Other bowel problems that mimic Crohn's disease are described and there is a section on the possible causes of
Contents
- The normal bowel - What it does
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- When the diarrhoea becomes chronic - The signs of Crohn's Disease and Colitis
- Descriptions of Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's - Why and how
- Crohn's - Myths and maybes
- Eating with inflammatory bowel disease - Tackling food intolerance
- Ulcerative Colitis - A background
- Current and future treatments for Ulcerative Colitis
- Ulcerative Colitis - The need for follow up
- Surgery for Colitis
- Surgery for Crohn's Disease
- Irritable bowel and Coeliac Disease
- Appendix - why you mustn't smoke and how to stop if you do
About the author
Having graduated from Birmingham Medical School, Dr Tom Smith spent two years in hospital house positions before entering general practice, first in Birmingham and then South Ayrshire. He then became medical adviser and later medical director of a major pharmaceutical company where he organized and helped to publish clinical trials of new drugs and took the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Dr Smith has been a full-time writer since 1977 with many popular medical books to his credit (including Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Depression & Thyroid Problems for Wellhouse) together with weekly medical columns in several regional newspapers. He also finds time to practice as a locum for the family doctors in his home area of Girvan, Ayrshire, South West Scotland. Tom is married with two children
Disclaimer The aim of this book is to provide general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your doctor or any other health care professional. The publisher and author are not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a reader based on the contents of this book. Always consult your doctor if you are in any way concerned about your health
