Making Sense of IBS: A Physician Answers Your Questions about Irritable Bowel Syndrome

by Brian E. Lacy PhD MD

Overview

Vital information about new treatments and dietary factors affecting irritable bowel syndrome.

IBS, which affects almost one in six Americans, is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation. Today more than ever before, physicians are able to diagnose this complex disorder, understand and explain its origins, and develop a treatment plan that effectively meets the individual needs of a patient.

Drawing on his many years of experience treating people who have symptoms of IBS, Dr. Brian E. Lacy explains normal digestion, the causes of IBS, how IBS is diagnosed, and what to expect with treatment. He also explores special topics such as IBS in children and psychological, hypnotherapeutic, and psychiatric therapies. Important new information in the second edition includes
- The roles of fiber, gluten, lactose, and fructose in the development and treatment of IBS
- The use of probiotics and antibiotics to treat IBS
- Similarities and differences between IBS and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- The relationship between small intestine bacterial overgrowth and IBS
- How to make the most of your visits to a gastroenterologist
- Lifestyle modifications that can improve symptoms of IBS

Making Sense of IBS is an essential resource for anyone who has symptoms or a diagnosis of IBS as well as for health professionals who treat people with this complex disorder.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421411156
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	12/01/2013
Series:	A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book
Edition description:	second edition
Pages:	392
Sales rank:	507,298
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Brian E. Lacy, Ph.D., M.D., is a professor of medicine at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and Chief, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He is coauthor of Healing Heartburn, also published by Johns Hopkins.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments ix

List of Abbreviations xi

Part I Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Basics

1 Overview of IBS 3

2 What Is IBS? 11

3 Why Do I Have IBS? 31

4 How Common Is IBS? 47

5 What Is My Prognosis? 58

6 The Anatomy of Digestion 63

Part II Diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome

7 How Is IBS Diagnosed? 81

8 Diagnostic Tests and What They Mean 99

9 IBS and Other Medical Disorders 119

10 IBS and Diet 134

11 IBS and Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) 149

12 IBS versus IBD 157

Part III Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

13 Treatment Basics 169

14 Lifestyle Modifications 178

15 Diet Modifications 188

16 Treatment Options for IBS with Constipation 198

17 Treatment Options for IBS with Diarrhea 218

18 Medications for Abdominal Pain Associated with IBS 234

19 Treatments for Gas and Bloating 254

20 Probiotics and Antibiotics: Frequendy Asked Questions 263

21 Complementary and Alternative Medicine 275

22 Psychological, Hypnotherapeutic, and Psychiatric Therapies 283

23 The Ingredients of an Effective Doctor's Appointment 293

Part IV Other Issues

24 IBS and Children 303

25 What Does the Future Hold? 317

Appendix: About Clinical Trials and Scientific Research 327

Patient Resources 335

Glossary 339

References 353

Index 363

Editorial Reviews

A very clear book . . . all medical terms are clearly explained.
--Consumer Connection

This book is very well-written, clear, and certainly reaches its goal of clearing up the many misconceptions and misinterpretations that surround IBS.
--Digestive and Liver Disease

This is an excellent, well written addition to the lay literature on irritable bowel syndrome. It is clearly written and the use of case studies adds to its utility. IBS patients (and treating gastroenterologists) will benefit greatly from this Johns Hopkins Press Health Book.
--Doody's Review Service

Anybody who has symptoms or a diagnosis of IBS and clinincal staff who may encounter patients with the disease, should read this fascinating book.
--Ibadete Fetahu, Nursing Times

From the Publisher

A very clear book . . . all medical terms are clearly explained.

Consumer Connection

This book is very well-written, clear, and certainly reaches its goal of clearing up the many misconceptions and misinterpretations that surround IBS.

Digestive and Liver Disease

Anybody who has symptoms or a diagnosis of IBS and clinincal staff who may encounter patients with the disease, should read this fascinating book.

Nursing Times - Ibadete Fetahu

This book is very well written, clear and certainly reaches its goal of clearing up the many misconceptions and misinterpretations that surround IBS... can be recommended to the many colleagues who deal daily with patients with IBS.

Digestive and Liver Disease - G. Bianchi Porro

A very clear book, appropriate for medium to advanced reading levels... all medical terms are clearly explained.

Consumer Connection - Susan Fowler

Reviewer: Willem J de Villiers, MD, PhD, MHCM (University of Kentucky College of Medicine)
Description: This is a complete guide for people with irritable bowel syndrome and their families. The editor, an international expert in the field, has written a compassionate and readable book to explain all aspects of the disorder. It is appropriately aimed at lay people and includes many case studies with which readers can identify.
Purpose: The author wishes to share the new information about IBS with patients (predominantly) and healthcare providers. His worthy goals are to convey what we currently understand about IBD; to clear up the many misperceptions that surround the disorder; to help one recognize the symptoms of IBS; to describe tests that may be used during the evaluation of symptoms; and to provide information that will allow IBS patients better understand their symptoms, institute appropriate changes, and improve their quality of life. The book meets the challenges superbly.
Audience: The book is aimed at patients with irritable bowel syndrome and their family members, friends, or coworkers. It is written in an easy to read manner by a well known expert in the field.
Features: The first of the book's four parts provides a general introduction to the disorder, using a case history and describing the epidemiology and pathophysiology. Part 2 focuses on the evaluation and diagnosis of a patient with IBS symptoms and includes a discussion on the natural history and prognosis of patients with IBS. The treatment of IBS is highlighted in part 3 and this includes an excellent discussion of the utility of complementary and alternative therapies. Finally, in part 4, the special needs of children with IBS are addressed as well as possible future developments. Importantly, lists of readily accessible patient resources as well as references to the original medical articles are provided at the back of the book.
Assessment: This is an excellent, well written addition to the lay literature on irritable bowel syndrome. It is clearly written and the use of case studies adds to its utility. IBS patients (and treating gastroenterologists) will benefit greatly from this Johns Hopkins Press Health Book.

Doody's Review Service