The Ulcer Story [Hardcover]

W. Grant Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 1996

If any disease can be said to epitomize and era, peptic ulcer does so for our time.Virtually unknown before 1900, cases of ulcers have reached epidemic proportions in the twentieth century. Up until the 1970s this painful disease was difficult to treat, often requiring surgery and leading to disability and even death. Since then, a bewildering succession of drug treatments has appeared and care is now possible. The Ulcer Story is the first and only book to make sense of the flood of new information for the general reader, and there is much here that will interest and challenge doctors as well.While revealing the plots and subplots of the history of peptic ulcers, Dr. Thompson shows us the paths we can take to regain a healthy and pain-free existence. Throughout, he brings to bear his impressive credentials and years of clinical experience to equip us with the means to assess our own conditions and treatments. Drawing upon cutting-edge research and the successful strategies of talented clinicians, he answers our most urgent questions: How do doctors diagnose ulcers and distinguish them from other gut ailments? What drugs are safe and effective and how do they work? What lifestyle changes, if any, can we make to control or even eliminate symptoms of dyspepsia and heatburn? Will the future bring a complete cure for the many types of ulcers?Most of the many heroes of this story are the working physicians who fight this once debilitating disease, and who have translated medical innovation into life-saving treatment. Dedicated to them, and to the legions of ulcer and heatburn sufferers for whom there is now hope, The Ulcer Story is an inspiration.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Thompson, the author of Gut Reactions (Plenum, 1989) and The Angry Gut (LJ 4/15/93), completes his trilogy of gastroenterology texts with this extremely thorough work on ulcers and dyspepsia. As with his other books, he begins with a discussion of gut anatomy and function that, together with the wonderful diagrams, gives lay readers the basic knowledge necessary to understand the history, epidemiology, causes, treatments, and tests for ulcers and dyspepsia. Thompson makes a commendable effort to explain medical jargon but is, alas, still guilty of relying on it more often than necessary. A good glossary would have been helpful. The overall thoroughness, particularly in the discussion of the role of helicobacter pylori in ulcers, recommends this highly for all consumer health collections.?KellyJo Houtz Griffin, Auburn, Wash.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 415 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1 edition (August 21, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306452758
• ISBN-13: 978-0306452758
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,495,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for your reference library if your have an ulcer!, July 4, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Johnstown, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ulcer Story (Hardcover)

Stop looking. This book is a one stop guide that will enable you to understand what your body is doing in those places you can't see, but you KNOW they are there. I believe every doctor should update their ulcer related knowledge by reading this book. "The Ulcer Story" is written in an easy to digest manner, so don't hesitate in finding out about YOUR stomach.

I had H. pylori previous to discovering through an Endoscopic exam that a Peptic ulcer hadn't healed and a growth developed on a healed Duodenal ulcer. Result: Surgery. Afterward, I was so sick and no one had an answer for "what do I do now"?

Get this book before surgery. Find out your options for treatment before and after. Take it with you to the doctors office. Go armed with information that will help you be a smart consumer. You couldn't spend your time better or money wiser.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative, January 22, 2003

By 

Anna Klein - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ulcer Story (Hardcover)

For those of us suffering from both known and unknown stomach maladies (in my case the wonderful catchall dyspepsia, for which there is no cure -- see this book to have that driven home in full force!) The Ulcer Story is highly informative. Although it is written in quite a professional tone -- no layperson here -- still, I believe anyone can understand it and benefit from the many detailed descriptions of treatments, as well as the photographs.

I highly recommend this book.