In any chronic disease, patients and families frequently request information concerning the illness. Although a few patients prefer not to be told all of the "gory" details," this is the exception rather than the rule. There has been a major need for a comprehensive guide outlining the cause, treatment, and long-term expectations for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
This book is relatively short (it can be read in approximately one hour), clearly written, and well indexed for future reference. It is divided into three major sections. Section 1 includes general definitions of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and discusses possible causes, symptoms, systemic manifestations, and tests used in diagnosis. In addition, a brief discussion of the epidemiology of IBD is included. Section 2 is a discussion of the aspects of medical treatment with a brief description of each drug and its therapeutic efficacy, side effects, and potential complications; the