" Although concentrating on Crohn's disease this book also has chapters on ulcerative colitis to explain the similarities and differences between them. Dr Tom Smith describes what is happening in the course of IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases) and how modem medicine is used to relieve and prevent the serious complications that caused so many tragedies in the past. He explains how the normal bowel works, how it can go wrong and, if it becomes inflamed, why it can produce the three main symptoms of diarrhoea, bleeding and mucus. lf these symptoms continue your health may deteriorate quickly.

This book covers the methods by which doctors can deal with your Crohn's disease and help you towards recovery. Dr Smith describes the tests and investigations provided in a modem gastroenterology unit as the specialist makes the diagnosis and estimates the extent of the illness. It is not just the illness but how much of the bowel is affected that makes the difference in treatment and how quickly and completely recovery is made.

Other bowel problems that mimic Crohn's disease are described and there is a section on the possible causes of

Crohn's". Contents
Preface
Introduction

The normal bowel: What it does
Constipation
Diarrhoea
When the diarrhoea becomes chronic - The signs of Crohn's Disease and Colitis
Descriptions of Crohn's Disease
Crohn's - Why and how
Crohn's - Myths and maybes
Eating with inflammatory bowel disease - Tackling food intolerance
Ulcerative Colitis - A background
Current and future treatments for Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis - The need for follow up
Surgery for Colitis
Surgery for Crohn's Disease
Irritable bowel and Coeliac Disease

Appendix: why you mustn't smoke - and how to stop if you do
References
Index

About the author

Having graduated from Birmingham Medical School, Dr Tom Smith spent two years in hospital house positions before entering general practice, first in Birmingham and then South Ayrshire. He then became medical adviser and later medical director of a major pharmaceutical company where he organized and helped to publish clinical trials of new drugs and took the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Dr Smith has been a full-time writer since 1977 with many popular medical books to his credit (including Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Depression & Thyroid Problems for Wellhouse) together with weekly medical columns in several regional newspapers. He also finds time to practice as a locum for the family doctors in his home area of Girvan, Ayrshire, South West Scotland. Tom is married with two children. Disclaimer The aim of this book is to provide general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your doctor or any other health care professional. The publisher and author are not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a reader based on the contents of this book. Always consult your doctor if you are in any way concerned about your health.