Review Detail
I think the most accurate description of this book is that it is a comprehensive, well written, and readable guide on the orthodox views of IBS. It covers diagnosis, research findings, and how diet and stress trigger symptoms and affect their severity. As far as it goes, the advice will likely be useful to a lot of IBS sufferers.
The obvious downside to this book is that it looks at the condition purely from an orthodox medical perspective and seems comfortable with the limitations that this narrow view brings. There are many effective solutions for IBS in the field of alternative/complementary medicine from the use of probiotics to the use of IgG food sensitivity testing and appropriate elimination diet. These approaches are also backed by research it should be noted and by a considerable number of patient reports. On a personal note, I have found these methods much more effective than the limited advice I received from a gastroenterologist and a dietician after being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome myself.
The suggestion by the nutritionist in this book that IBS sufferers should load up with insoluble fibre from wheat is sure to confuse many patients and health professionals alike. It is widely known that celiac disease (gluten/wheat allergy) is underdiagnosed and many patients diagnosed with IBS may in fact have this condition. Suggesting patients consume large amounts of gluten containing wheat and other grains is risky at best in this situation in my opinion. Gluten and wheat are known to be irritating to the gut lining even if celiac disease is not present.
In summary I would find it hard to recommend this as the only book an IBS patient should read on the subject. As part of a larger library of IBS titles it may be worth having however as it does present orthodox medical views well. Personally I would suggest readers try a more rounded book first or perhaps buy a book about the alternative/complementary medicine approach to IBS along with this title.
| Overall rating | 7.0 | |
| Content | 8.0 | |
| Ease of reading | 7.0 | |
| Value for money | 7.0 | |
| How much did this book help you? | 6.0 | |
| Would you recommend? | 7.0 |
Comprehensive guide to orthodox treatment of IBS
This book is written by a gastroenterologist, a nutritionist, and a psychologist. As such it is marketed as a guide to coping with irritable bowel syndrome by 3 experts in fields associated with the condition.
I think the most accurate description of this book is that it is a comprehensive, well written, and readable guide on the orthodox views of IBS. It covers diagnosis, research findings, and how diet and stress trigger symptoms and affect their severity. As far as it goes, the advice will likely be useful to a lot of IBS sufferers.
The obvious downside to this book is that it looks at the condition purely from an orthodox medical perspective and seems comfortable with the limitations that this narrow view brings. There are many effective solutions for IBS in the field of alternative/complementary medicine from the use of probiotics to the use of IgG food sensitivity testing and appropriate elimination diet. These approaches are also backed by research it should be noted and by a considerable number of patient reports. On a personal note, I have found these methods much more effective than the limited advice I received from a gastroenterologist and a dietician after being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome myself.
The suggestion by the nutritionist in this book that IBS sufferers should load up with insoluble fibre from wheat is sure to confuse many patients and health professionals alike. It is widely known that celiac disease (gluten/wheat allergy) is underdiagnosed and many patients diagnosed with IBS may in fact have this condition. Suggesting patients consume large amounts of gluten containing wheat and other grains is risky at best in this situation in my opinion. Gluten and wheat are known to be irritating to the gut lining even if celiac disease is not present.
In summary I would find it hard to recommend this as the only book an IBS patient should read on the subject. As part of a larger library of IBS titles it may be worth having however as it does present orthodox medical views well. Personally I would suggest readers try a more rounded book first or perhaps buy a book about the alternative/complementary medicine approach to IBS along with this title.
