The Bowel Book: A Self-Help Guide for Sufferers [Paperback]

Michael Levitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0198508581 | ISBN-13: 978-0198508588 | Edition: 1st

It seems nowadays that we are happy to discuss almost every aspect of our health and reveal to doctors, pyschologists, phone-in hosts and their audiences--in fact almost anyone who will listen--our most personal and intimate problems. There remains one last taboo--one last subject for which people will suffer in silence: problems relating to their bowels. This relutance is seen by many within the medical profession as being a significant cause of the increase in bowel cancer within the developing world. The Bowel Book is a frank, entertaining, and accessible book offering advice on these on these and related problems, from the view of a medical specialist with many years of experience dealing with these problems. The book provides advice on every type of problem such as haemorroids, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and colitis. Most importantly, it highlights the early warning signals of such life threatening illnesses such as bowel cancer. Along the way it discusses and assesses alternative treatments such as colonic irrigation, and controversially contests some of the widely held views on the benefits of high-fiber diets.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This 'self-help guide for sufferers' aims to answer all the questions people are afraid to ask - and which might help them to solve problems before they become serious ... this no-nonsense little book should probably be on every family's bookshelf." East Anglian Daily Times "This book is, as it claims, 'frank and entertaining' without being derogatory to people with bowel conditions. The author has great understanding of each condition and shows real empathy towards patients ... This book should be recommended reading for students, nurses and GPs." Nursing Standard " ... informative and accessible ... I would recommend this book to patients, especially those who express an interest in learning more about their bowel habit. It may help clear up misconceptions about symptoms that are so often too embarrassing for individuals to discuss with their doctor." Jounrnal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 15

About the Author

Michael Levitt is a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st edition (March 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198508581
• ISBN-13: 978-0198508588
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #787,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BOOK FOR EVERYBODY WITH A BOWEL!, June 14, 2004

By 

Lessandra Lee "Sandra" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bowel Book: A Self-Help Guide for Sufferers (Paperback)

Last year I had to have a polyp removed surgically. When the doctor performed a colonoscopy he found a suspicious area and performed a biopsy (this was embedded in the mucosa so he could not snip it off like he would a polyp). The biopsy showed it was an adenoma with high-grade dysplasia - or a step away from cancer. The first surgeon I went to was going to perform a "temporary colonoscopy", the second one said he would just remove the growth (unless they found it was deeper than anticipated). The week before the surgery I went to the library and happened to find this marvelous little book. And I must say, it alleviated my fears greatly!! All turned out well, with same-day surgery and no complications. Now it is time to have another test - and the worries and fears have come back. So, now I am going to order this book to have on hand whenever I become too concerned about "what's going on"? This is a very self-educating, easy to read book and would be helpful to practically everybody who has had any bowel discomfort or GI problems.