Includes the most recent medical research. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes two chronic conditions known as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This has remained for too long the secret illness that no one wants to discuss. Although up to 1,000 per 100,000 North Americans have IBD, no one is completely sure what causes it, and there is no known cure. Dr. Fred Saibil, a renowned expert on IBD, provides concise, up-to-date information on common conditions. He describes the normal gastrointestinal system, and then explains what goes wrong when someone has IBD. Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis also covers: - Signs and symptoms - How the gastrointestinal system works normally and how IBD affects it - Procedures and instruments used to diagnose IBD - Effects of diet - Drugs available and how they work - Children and IBD - Cancer and IBD - Pros and cons of various surgical options - Living with IBD - Effects on sexual activity and child-bearing Dr. Saibil provides travel tips and other useful self-help strategies for coping with IBD, explains possible complications of the disease, and describes the special problems of children with IBD. Along with detailed tables, sidebars and diagrams, Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis features the plain facts about a disease that affects the daily lives of thousands.

Introduction -- The Normal GI System and IBD -- Who Gets IBD? What Causes It? -- Symptoms and Signs -- How Is IBD Diagnosed? -- Diet and IBD -- Drugs and IBD -- Surgery for IBD -- Children with IBD -- Complications of IBD -- Cancer and IBD -- Living with IBD -- Looking Ahead -- Table of Drug Names - Glossary -- Further Resources -Index.