The Sensitive Gut (Paperback)

~ Harvard Medical School (Author) "Gut. It's an ancient Anglo-Saxon word that refers to the human digestive system..." (more)
Key Phrases: functional gastrointestinal disorders, functional dyspepsia, prolonged doses, Symptoms Similar, United States, Third World (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

With the help of medical doctor Neimark, Salt has updated and improved his excellent book on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (LJ 10/15/97). This second edition preserves Salt's clear writing and lively illustrations while completely revising the format. Instead of eight steps on learning to live with IBS, now there are seven steps, which put greater emphasis on choices and action. A nice addition is a chapter on journaling as a mind/spirit health tool, and helpful symbols scattered throughout indicate that more detailed information on a subject is available on the publisher's web site. This book is essential, even for libraries that own the first edition. The Sensitive Gut also deals with irritable bowel syndrome, but it includes other functional gastrointestinal disorders as well: heartburn, dyspepsia, excessive gas, and constipation. It carries the powerful creditability of Harvard Medical School, but its textbook-like format may scare off many potential readers. This is unfortunate, as the language is very clear and easy to understand. The book's conversational tone makes the explanation of the digestive system's mechanics one of the most entertaining yet concrete descriptions available. This guide also discusses the mind/gut connection and alternative medicine options, but since it covers a broader scope than Salt's book, there is less depth in most areas. This is a nice addition to larger collections but is not an essential purchase. KellyJo Houtz Griffin, Eatonville, WA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

DO YOU EXPERIENCE FREQUENT STOMACHACHES
OR EXCESSIVE GAS AFTER EATING?
DOES EATING A SIMPLE MEAL LEAVE YOU
WITH A FEELING OF HEARTBURN?
DO CONSTIPATION AND DIARRHEA PLAGUE YOUR LIFE?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder. As many as one in four people experience these troublesome symptoms, and they don't get the problem adequately diagnosed and treated.

In The Sensitive Gut, readers will learn that the root causes of these symptoms are often a group of disorders -- reflux disease, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food allergies, or other conditions. The causes of these disorders are not fully understood, but their effects are quite real.

This valuable guide explains each of these disorders and, more important, describes how they are diagnosed and treated. You will learn:

how heartburn is exacerbated by high-fat foods, onions, garlic, alcohol, and coffee

how cauliflower and chewing gum can trigger IBS

how to determine whether you have dyspepsia or an ulcer

which oral laxatives seem to be the most effective and produce the fewest side effects

and much more...

Besides suggesting eating plans to soothe and minimize symptoms, The Sensitive Gut also evaluates new alternative approaches such as relaxation response training, hypnosis, and biofeedback. Finally, lists of questions are included to help readers make the most of their time with their doctors.

A reassuring and practical guide to managing common intestinal distress, The Sensitive Gut can improve the quality of life for millions of Americans.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 1 edition (December 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743215044
• ISBN-13: 978-0743215046
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #185,164 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done but not very useful., April 8, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book gives a great overview of the various digestive maladies (and how there is no cure for most of them). But I cannot imagine anyone who has a reason to buy this book not knowing (1) they should avoid coffee & greasy/spicy food, (2) try to relax and (3) get plenty of excercise.

As W.C. Fields opined, "There's only one cure for insomnia; get plenty of sleep!"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Information, very well written, February 26, 2003

By	BfloBen (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This book covers most typical digestive disorders. It provides plenty of information about the underlying physiological basis for these ailments as well as details on diagnostic procedures and treatment. The author uses a sensible approach and does not try to solve the problems with miracle cures. Rather he talks about the benefits of and concerns with the various treatments. I think there is valuable information in this book for anyone with digestive maladies. I have read half a dozen books on this topic and this was the best on reflux (followed very closely by Cheskin and Lacy's Healing Heartburn).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The cure for a bad gut is in your brain, December 31, 2007

By	Self Helper "Sam" (New York) - See all my reviews

I agree with the previous post,it's hard to imagine anyone who still does not know that to feel better one must practice good life habits. But I disagree when the reviewer thinks that the book's message is too redundant in reminding us to do just that. How many people actually follow this even though they know that doing so, will save us plenty of suffering?

If your goal is alleviating the problems stemming from the sensative gut, the book will do what is promises: it will give you points on how to feel better. The most effective solution to many of these disorders (luckily and unfortunately) is consuming less of caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, practicing relaxation, and exercising more. This might upset someone who expects the book's book's focus be pills and surgery.

It is true, as the reviwer states, there is no cure for some conditions, but many can be helped definitively by habits change. Having suffered from IBS for many years, I can vouch that changing diet was a single most important thing I did for my condition to achieve the ever-elusive relief.

Please don't be discouraged by its small size, it is packed with helpful information, and for the most people will re-confirm what some already know: a combination of habit change and medicine is the only way to go.

Good starting point even though you can get very similar information on MayoClinic's webiste if you are willing to do the search.