IBD self-management The AGA guide to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious, chronic condition that affects more than one million Americans. Kane, an international researcher at the Mayo Clinic with a strong affiliation with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, describes the known and hypothesized causes of IBD and emphasizes the need for an informed collaboration with one's physician to continue therapy and minimize flares. The symptoms of each type of IBD are delineated, and the need for self-management and awareness of one's own condition is heavily stressed. Kane addresses treatments, including medications, pain management, surgery, and complications, and devotes a comprehensive discussion to the role of diet and nutrition in controlling weight and managing flares and symptoms. She also covers maintaining quality of life, from stress management and work issues to physical activity, fatigue, and travel as well as the special concerns of sexuality, pregnancy, and children. VERDICT While not a particularly easy read, this contains vital, current information necessary to managing the disease and working with one's health-care team. Highly recommended.-Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp., Tampa (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.