Straight from the gut : living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis / Cliff Kalibjian.

This text charts the territory of successfully living with IBD including: finding the right diagnosis; getting state-of-the-art treatment; coping with prednisone; living with an ostomy; dealing with insurance and employment; managing relationships; and finding emotional support.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Introduction to IBD:- The normal digestive tract--Crohn\'s disease at a glance--Ulcerative colitis at a glance--Indeterminate colitis--The history of IBD--Who gets IBD--Causes of IBD--2. Signs and Symptoms:- The pathology of IBD--Signs and symptoms of Crohn\'s disease--3. Diagnostic Procedures:- Problems getting a diagnosis--Blood tests--Stool tests--Imaging procedures--Endoscopic procedures--Preparing for barium enemas and colonoscopies--4. Complications:- Complications in the intestine--Complications outside the intestine--5. Medications:- 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) drugs--Corticosteroids--Immunosuppressive drugs--Antibiotics--Biologic therapies--Antidiarrheal drugs--Pain medication--Antispasmodic drugs--Experimental therapies--6. Surgical Treatments:- Reasons for surgery--Surgeries for ulceratice colitis--Surgeries for Crohn\'s disease--Recurrence after surgery--What to expect--7. Diet and Complementary Therapies:- Dietary changes--Supplements--Complementary therapies--8. Alternative Forms of Feeding:- Tube and IV feeding--Enteral feeding--Parenteral feeding--9. Working with your Doctor:- Models of the doctor-patient relationship--Choosing your doctor(s)--Communicating with your physician--Resolving conflicts--Getting a second opinion--Changing doctors--10. Going to the Hospital:- Deciding when to enter the hospital--Monitoring your symptoms--Avoiding unnecessary hospitalization--Estimating the length of your stay--Preparing for hospitalization--Avoiding emergency admissions--Asking for a private room--Working smoothly with hospital staff--Hospital food--Watching out for yourself--Other tips--Going home--11. Life with an Ostomy:- Type of ostomies--When an ostomy is necessary--When an ostomy is a choice--Characteristics of a stoma--Types of pouching systems--Skin care--Stoma care--Emptying your appliance--Changing your appliance--Odor--Gas--Living with an ostomy--Coping with an ostomy--12. Coping with Prednisone:- Prednisone basics--Physical side effects--Emotional side effects--Tapering off--13. Personal Relationships:- Family members--Friends--Intimate relationships--Concerns for singles--14. Fertility and Pregnancy:- Fertility--Pregnancy--Medications during pregnancy--Nursing--Diagnostic procedures during pregnancy--Surgery during pregnancy--Nutrition--Heredity--15. Children and Teens:- Onset and symptoms--Diagnostic tests and procedures--Reactions to diagnosis--Sharing information with your child--Treatment--Growth failure--School--Peers--IBD\'s impact on the family--16. Record-keeping, Insurance, Employment, and Disability:- Record-keeping--Insurance--Employment-- Disability--17. Emotions and Coping:- Emotions--Practical coping--Seeking support--18. Living Well with IBD:- Finding positive in the negative--Finding meaning--Facing the future.

This text charts the territory of successfully living with IBD including: finding the right diagnosis; getting state-of-the-art treatment; coping with prednisone; living with an ostomy; dealing with insurance and employment; managing relationships; and finding emotional support.