Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome Books

This book is an excellent memoir describing what day-to-day life is like with IBD and IBS. It's candid, very, very helpful, and well-written. I highly recommend it to all.

This is by far the best book on ibs/ibd that I have read. It is not only a very well told personal memoir on healing but also a roadmap for others with similar digestive problems to follow. The author talks openly about her struggles with her disease and draws lessons from her struggles that are not so much precise prescriptions for what others should do to help themselves control their disease but the kinds of approaches and attitudes towards healing that will help them as they figure out what works for them. It is a book that encompasses physcial, emotional and spiritual issues that are raised by the disease and that can be addressed through healings techniques both traditional and non-traditional. Chronic diseases challenge people to look not just for a cure that will rid them of the disease, although that would always be nice, but to find ways in which to learn to live a full life with the disease. Elizabeth Roberts has done just that and she shares her story and the lessons learned from it so others might be able to do that too.

Elizabeth Roberts provides an excellent first-hand account of having to learn of and then deal with UC/IBS. As a newly diagnosed member of the "UC Club," I was heartened to learn of her ability to manage this combination of maladies and get on with her life. Elizabeth is kind enough to provide a number of online sources for information and support as well as her own personal tips/tricks for dealing with an IBD.

I definitely recommend this book, especially to the newly diagnosed.

What a story! She starts out as a publicist in Washington D.C. who works with celebrities like Wynton Marsalis and the artist known as Wyland, in a foundation run by the Kennedy family. Then IBD sets in, and her life in the fast lane is all about getting to the bathroom on time. The emotions are roller-coaster, no doctor can give her her life back again, her husband is on the verge, and she has to summon up the willpower to bring herself back from the brink. So she's off to Sedona to meet with New Age healers, on medication and meditation, and finally ready to try to spread her wings again by trying to relive her former jet-set lifestyle with trips to St. Bart, Switzerland, and of course frequent runs to the bathroom. This book gets real about IBD and IBS and is a good read -- and chock full of dozens of practical tips and step-by-step advice about how to get your life back on track when dealing with chronic disease. It is told through the author's experience, but the lessons and tricks you can learn apply to anyone.

Elizabeth Roberts' skill as a journalist and public relations writer are matched perfectly with this personal emotional story of Elizabeth initially being diagnosed with IBD and then IBS followed by her own techniques for coping. I was mesmerized by her story because Elizabeth eloquently describes how a strong healthy career woman suddenly learns and then understands what it is like to have to cope with these troubling chronic conditions. Her style is approachable as if she is talking directly to you. She shares with us her fears and her triumphs. Doing so provides an honest account of how one's quality of life is altered. Elizabeth provides helpful Tips and Information at the end of each chapter which do a nice job at capturing the key messages of each chapter. I highly recommend this book.

I am a therapist and use this CD in an Anger Management Group that I facilitate. After hearing this CD, all of the group members rave about how helpful it is. Ms. Naparstek has the most soothing voice I have heard, and the group members agree that the imagery she uses in the CD is quite useful in helping them "visualize" letting their anger go. I would highly recommend this CD!

I turned to this CD when I realized that my anger at my ex-husband over his failure to pay child support and co-parent was making me sick. This is one of the few resources I found that address anger specifically. Naparstek keeps the focus on me, and how my anger, now that it has become habitual, is preventing me from having a full emotional life. I've known that I needed to let go of my anger for awhile, but I haven't known how. This really helps.

I have suffered from spastic colon for at least six years. I get cramps and other unpleasant symptoms that often require medication. Since I started doing relaxation exercises and listening to this guided meditation my symptoms are down by half and I have much more energy. I find the words, voice and music pleasant, soothing and comforting. Evidently my digestive system feels the same way. Maybe this is a placebo effect, but if it is, who cares? Not me!!!

I have had many struggles with forgiveness, because of some pretty horrendous things that have happened to me. My heart was closed and shut down and I honestly couldn't see how that was going to change. This tape is a mind-blower. Very simple but very effective. It's making a dent on me in a very beautiful way, day by day. (I listen to it every night.) This woman's work is a great blessing. I have many of her audios.

I have used this product for the past few weeks most nights as I am falling asleep. It has really done wonders for me. Not only to let go of past hurt and anger, but also to build a comfortable sanctuary within myself to buffer the effects of present difficult relationships. My anger related to past hurtful relationships that caused my self esteem to fall. This meditation and affirmations have helped considerably.

This is an excellent medicinal reference on the workings of the
gastrointestinal system. The book is written from the perspective
of conventional medicine. It discusses classic gastrointestinal
issues; such as, difficulty in swallowing, gas, non-cardiac
discomfort, chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and constipation. Abdominal pain on the left side is associated with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Pain on the right
side of the abdomen may be Crohns related. Diarrhea and rectal
bleeding are the classic symptoms of Crohns disease. The CT scan,
MRI, endoscopy and colorectal examinations are the classic
invasive techniques for detection. Non-invasive tests involve
analysis of the breath, blood tests, stool and fecal occult exams. Duodenal ulcers are caused by H-pylori. Standard treatments are H2 blockers, pepcid AC and proton pump inhibitors.
Prilosec is a classic proton inhibitor.

The work is a must for any health enthusiast. The problems
described are classic middle-age conditions encountered by
large portions of the population for a variety of reasons
ranging from genetics to junk food consumption. The work is
a solid investment for the price charged. Acquiring this volume will help you to discuss any of the symptomatology intelligently
with your primary care physician or medical specialist.

Answers key questions about preventing and treating Acid Reflus and other gastrointestional problems.

My only complaint about the book is it should show some diagrams of the organs involved explanations.

I recommend this book to book to EVERYONE!!! Very much information.. I am still reading it.. Although I am ill... the book is fantastic.. Any questions or concerns, this book has answers.. You will love the book as well.. I enjoyed this very much.

I purchased this book for my boyfriend who now has an ostomy because I heard it recommended on a webcast where a doctor with an ostomy himself and an ostomy nurse talk about this condition. The book was highly recommended. The webcast can be found at yourhealthpress.com website and this book is apparently the only book that talks about relationships and ostomy. It was very useful for both me and my boyfriend.

This book packs a lot of information for us new ostomates. I bought it when it was recommended in one of the newsletters I subscribe to. Not only does it have everything a new ostomate needs to know, but it discusses some of the more embarrassing daily life issues. The chapter on sex with an ostomy is so helpful and necessary. The author also shares other ostomates' stories and struggles, which I haven't seen in other books, either. Plus, there is really good information about complimentary/natural products for ostomates. A must have for anyone coping with a new ostomy.

I recently had ostomy surgery because of my worsening bowel disease. The surgery has done wonders for my illness -- I haven't felt better in years. But having an ostomy is taking some getting used to. Of all the books on ostomy, I found this ostomy book by Elizabeth Rayson really helpful. It's written very clearly and addresses a lot of issues I'm facing as well as helping me with practical day-to-day care. This book tackles some unique topics you can't find in other books, such as sexual issues. Let's face it, partners can get freaked out once you tell them bout your ostomy. Elizabeth Rayson approaches the subject of sex and ostomy in a sensitive and understanding way. One point that really hit home was when she writes that if someone rejects you because of an ostomy, they weren't worth it anyway. Lots of wise words are bundled into this book.

For many years I suffered the agonizing pain that accompanies IBS. Little did I know that the answers to all my problems could be found within the "Good Book" that had been on my bookshelf since I was a child. Although I had read the Bible from cover to cover, it wasn't until I picked up Dr. Colbert's miriculous journal that I realized Jesus wasn't too busy healing cripples and raising from the dead to concern himself with curing explosive diarrhea as well. Taken directly from the pages of the four gospels, as well as the newly discovered Gospel According to Bucky, this book is a must have for anyone who has ever crapped their pants before making it to the John.

My God, Dr. Colbert just keeps getting better and better with this series. First it was yeasty problems in females, then it was curing autoimmune problems (go figure), and now we suspect we'll get a Biblical cure of herpes out next. When I found this IBS book, I knew I had come across a true gem. Presumably this for those people who have NOT yet found Dr. Colbert's other books about what Jesus would eat and how he would cook it. Because, surely, if you are eating what Jesus would eat and cooking it how he would cook it, you would not be plagued by such problems. Unless of course your name were Job or there was some secret bet God had going on with Lucifer, but I suspect you'd begin having other signs to go along with your IBS problems.

Anyway, this is truly an answer among answers and it's good to know the Bible is so versatile, and that Dr. Colbert is leading the way in outlining it for us. Thank you so much Dr. Colbert, and thank you God, Jesus, Mary, and the rest of the gang, for helping rid myself of this truly messy (and not to mention stinky, and embarrassing) problem.

I found that I gained a lot of information and have been helped by learning how to cope with my IBS. I was impressed wtih the presentation of Dr. Weinstock in simplifying th e problem of the is syndrome.

Very informative. The syndrome and everything about it is explained well. The relaxation part is easy to follow and very helpful. Highly recommended

This is the most comprehensive yet systematic, accessible, and intelligent book I've read on IBS (I had read 7-8 others before finding this one). You can waste much time and money on all sorts of herbal and medicinal products as well as alternative therapies with absolutely no gain--in fact, in many cases you may decide you feel worse.

Salt and Neimark provide a complete analysis of the mind/body/spirit connection, taking you from the causes of your problem to the resolution of it that only knowledge and action can provide. Their approach employs all of the latest research in mainstream medicine as well as some bold and positive understandings that are unliikely to appear in the conventional literature.

The only slight "negative" may be many of the illustrations, which are frankly insipid and unilluminating. On the other hand, they do provide some "breathing space" for the reader, possibly providing the text with a lighter tone and feel.

Collaboratively written by digestive disorder specialists Dr. William Salt and Dr. Neil Neimark, and now available in a fully revised and updated new edition, Irritable Bowel Syndrome And The MindBodySpirit Connection is an invaluable, hope-giving, practical, non-specialist general reader friendly guide offering seven specific steps to improving one's quality of life and health when living with a functional bowel disorder, Crohn's Disease or colitis. Individual chapters focus on using the power of emotional and psychological attitude as well as more traditionally important habits of proper diet, exercise, water drinking etc. A thoughtful and attentive book and an excellent supplement to a doctor's care, Irritable Bowel Syndrome And The MindBodySpirit Connection, with its practical and whole mind and body approach to maintaining good health, is important even to those who are fortunate enough to have compliantly regular bowels. A very highly recommended addition to personal and community library personal healthy and medical reference collections.

Vitalism is a profoundly science-ejected concept, though many CAM or 'natural health' cabals falsely claim that vitalism survives scientific scrutiny.

This book is a prime example of naturopathy's vitalism [aka "vis medicatrix naturae"].

I quote:

"naturopathy [...] the main aim of diagnosis is to find out how well your vital force is working [...in naturopathy,] hydrotherapy may be used to help stimulate the body's vital force [p.058]."

-r.c.

The book provides classic symptoms for inflammatory bowel
disease; such as, feeling of fullness, irritable bladder,
headache, fatigue and fibromyalgia. The authors distinguish
between mechanical digestion and chemical digestion which
is the enzyme breakdown of food in the body. IBS happens when
the muscular activity or motility is altered. Contraction
either speeds up or slows down food movements through the
digestive tract. John Hopkins University found that 6 - 8
peristaltic contractions were the ideal; whereas, IBS patients
can have as few as "0" contractions and as many as 25.
A slowdown of food movements can lead to putrification of
the food, fermentation and bacterial overgrowth. Classic
triggers of this condition are dairy, insufficient fiber,
excessive smoking, stress and certain types of drugs.
The challenge for the patient is to diarize the food each
day and the adverse reactions as a condition precedent to
managing this disease. A related work by Hamlyn recommends
the evaluation of stool samples for parasitic infection and
the sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Loperamide may be utilized to
reduce bowel contractions and Mebeverine is an anti-spasm
drug. Ispaghula husk may be used as a bulking agent to harden
stool prior to elimination. Peppermint oil classically relaxes
gut muscles. Hamlyn's work recommends that IBS patients
reduce sugary foods, reduce or eliminate smoking, increase
omega 3 oils and decrease milk consumption.

This book has given me hope that there is relief from my IBS. It explains this condition in a way anyone can understand. I discovered things that might be contributing to my symptoms that I had no idea were even remotely related to IBS. It gives a comprehensive overview of the many treatments available, focusing on the natural and homeopathic. I have begun implementing many of the dietary and lifestyle changes covered in this book and look forward to feeling better. I am already feeling better, knowing that I am taking a proactive role in regards to my health. This book has given me the motivation and knowledge to take control of my own health and life again.

No need to feel embarrassed: everybody suffers from IBS from time to time. I was looking for a book that would offer more than a study guide to the digestive system combined with an encyclopedia on dietary measures, and I wound up more pleased than ever! Author Rosemary Nicol's diverse handling of everything from symptoms (both physical and emotional) of IBS and similar ailments, to stress management, antidotes and diet is absolutely impressive.

I'm not sure what her background is, but Ms. Nicol's writing exhibits thoughtful, intelligent and especially sensitive insight in discussing IBS from the perspectives of biology, psychology, and personality. Then, she elaborates on a range of antidotes too numerous to detail in this space. The one thing that will forever stand out in my mind after reading this book is the absolutely outstanding sensitivity with which the author discusses the psychological and emotional aspects linked to IBS. Her writing is simple and personable, and she doesn't talk down to the reader by throwing in tons of technical terms. The section on diet is very good, but the greatest comfort comes from someone who knows how you feel, and who looks at every angle imaginable in helping you find solutions to this bothersome condition. I give this my highest recommendation.

Excellent book on anything you need to know about any problem with the Didestive system. I read so many books about the topic due to finding out that I have LPR. This book was one of the best. I also found Renew your life and Gut solutions by B.Watson very good.

I FIND THIS BOOK USEFUL IN THE SENSE THAT IT ADDRESSES COMMON QUESTIONS MOST OF US TEND TO HAVE ABOUT FOOD, EATING, DIGESTIVE HAZARDS AND RELATED ILLNESS.