Main description:

More than one billion individuals worldwide experience digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) problems, including acid reflux, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and many others. This book was written with these individuals in mind and to help guide them. In this comprehensive yet high-yield and patient-friendly book, trusted medical expert Dr. James H. Tabibian shares his professional insights and personal experiences to empower patients to gain better understanding of and control over their digestive health. This book addresses questions that commonly arise among those with GI problems, such as "What condition do I really have?", "Should I be worried?", "At what point do I need to see a specialist?", "What should I tell the doctor?", "Is the doctor ordering the right tests for me?", "What treatment options are there and which ones work best for me?", "Am I seeing the right subspecialist for my problem?", and more. It presents up-to-date scientific knowledge and tenets that are relevant across the spectrum of common GI problems, providing a summary of key concepts, underlying causes of digestive problems, how to best embark on a medical evaluation, and the vast array of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic options. Drawing upon both Western and Eastern methodologies and a combination of integrative and functional medicine, this book provides important practical information to help navigate life with GI problems, the complexities of modern healthcare, and the quest for digestive wellness, debunking misconceptions along the way.

Contents:

Foreword

The gastrointestinal system and digestive problems: a fundamental primer

Chapter 1: Gastrointestinal anatomy and function: a high-yield overview
Chapter 2: The burden of digestive disorders: common and impactful Chapter 3: Distinguishing benign symptoms from red flags
Triggers and causes of digestive problems: a broad spectrum of possibilities

Chapter 4: Genes, food, environment, and beyond
Chapter 5: Flow problems: digestive tract blockages and dysmotility
Chapter 6: The intestinal microbiome: friends, foes, and unknowns
Chapter 7: The role of stress and psychological factors

Medical evaluation and diagnosis: guidance, pitfalls, and what I wish I knew sooner

Chapter 8: Effectively navigating the path to seeing a subspecialist
Chapter 9: Following a practical sequence in testing
Chapter 10: The unifying diagnosis: often but not always correct Chapter 11: Seeking a second opinion: when and where
Treatments and solutions: each patient is unique, and one size doesn't fit all

Chapter 12: Initial approaches: lifestyle and dietary modifications
Chapter 13: Over-the-counter and prescription medications
Chapter 14: Complementary and alternative medicine approaches