Full Description
More than one billion individuals worldwide experience digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) problems, including acid reflux, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and many others. This book was written with these individuals in mind and to help guide them. In this comprehensive yet high-yield and patient-friendly book, trusted medical expert Dr. James H. Tabibian shares his professional insights and personal experiences to empower patients to gain better understanding of and control over their digestive health. This book addresses questions that commonly arise among those with GI problems, such as "What condition do I really have?", "Should I be worried?", "At what point do I need to see a specialist?", "What should I tell the doctor?", "Is the doctor ordering the right tests for me?", "What treatment options are there and which ones work best for me?", "Am I seeing the right subspecialist for my problem?", and more. It presents up-to-date scientific knowledge and tenets that are relevantacross the spectrum of common GI problems, providing a summary of key concepts, underlying causes of digestive problems, how to best embark on a medical evaluation, and the vast array of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic options. Drawing upon both Western and Eastern methodologies and a combination of integrative and functional medicine, this book provides important practical information to help navigate life with GI problems, the complexities of modern healthcare, and the quest for digestive wellness, debunking misconceptions along the way.
Contents
The gastrointestinal system and digestive problems: a fundamental primer.- Gastrointestinal anatomy and function: a high-yield overview.- The burden of digestive disorders: common and impactful.- Distinguishing benign symptoms from red flags.- Triggers and causes of digestive problems: a broad spectrum of possibilities.- Genes, food, environment, and beyond.- Flow problems: digestive tract blockages and dysmotility.- The intestinal microbiome: friends, foes, and unknowns.- The role of stress and psychological factors.- Medical evaluation and diagnosis: guidance, pitfalls, and what I wish I knew sooner.- Effectively navigating the path to seeing a subspecialist.- Following a practical sequence in testing.- The unifying diagnosis: often but not always correct.- Seeking a second opinion: when and where.- Treatments and solutions: each patient is unique, and one size doesn't fit all.- Initial approaches: lifestyle and dietary modifications.- Over-the-counter and prescription medications.- Complementary and alternative medicine approaches.
