CONTENTS
PREFACE
PART 1
Digestive health basics
CHAPTER 1
Why your gut matters
Warning signs
Digestion at work
Digestive problems
CHAPTER 2
The gut microbiome
The microbiome explained
The changing gut
When a good gut goes bad
Nurturing a healthy gut
CHAPTER 3
Recipe for healthy digestion
What to eat
What to limit
Your eating habits
Physical activity
Stress
Medications
Understanding digestive disease
CHAPTER 4
Gut feelings
Difficulty swallowing
Chest pain and heartburn
Indigestion
Nausea and vomiting
Belching, bloating and intestinal gas
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea and constipation
Bleeding
Unintended weight loss
CHAPTER 5
Diagnostic tests
Blood tests
Urine and stool tests
X-rays
Computerized tomography
Ultrasound
Endoscopy
Ambulatory acid (PH) probe test
Esophageal muscle function test
Transit studies
Manometry
Defecating proctogram test (defecography)
Breath tests
PART 2
Digestive diseases
CHAPTER 6
Obesity
Why am I overweight?
Weight-loss treatments
Diet
Physical activity and exercise
Behavior changes
Prescription medications
Surgery and endoscopic procedures
Looking ahead
CHAPTER 7
Constipation and fecal incontinence
Constipation
Diagnosing constipation
Treating and managing constipation
Complications of constipation
Fecal incontinence
Diagnosing fecal incontinence
Treating and managing fecal incontinence
CHAPTER 8
Irritable bowel syndrome and food
intolerances
A functional disorder
Ruling out other conditions
Over-the-counter medications
Prescription medications
Counseling
Lactose intolerance
Other intolerances
Low-FODMAP diet
CHAPTER 9
Celiac disease
How gluten causes harm
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosing celiac disease
Complications of celiac disease
A new way of eating
When diet isn't enough
CHAPTER 10
GERD and other esophageal diseases
What's GERD?
Varied signs and symptoms
What puts you at risk?
Associated conditions
Complications of GERD
See your doctor
Treatment starts with self-care
Medications to treat GERD
Surgery to treat GERD
Cancer of the esophagus
CHAPTER 11
Ulcers and stomach pain
An open sore
Bacteria a common culprit
Diagnosing ulcers
Treatment with Medication
Self-care steps to promote healing
Functional dyspepsia
Lifestyle changes the first step
Stomach cancer
Diagnosis and treatment
CHAPTER 12
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Similar but different
In search of a cause
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosing IBD
Medications
Living with IBD
Surgery
Preventing complications
CHAPTER 13
Diverticular disease
Diverticulosis
Diverticulitis
Making a diagnosis
Treating diverticulitis
CHAPTER 14
Gallbladder disease
Gallstones
Gallstone attack
Are you at risk?
Making a diagnosis
Treatment options
Life without a gallbladder
Gallbladder and bile duct cancers
CHAPTER 15
Pancreatic disease
Acute pancreatitis
Diagnosing acute pancreatitis
Treating acute pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis
Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis
Treating chronic pancreatitis
Living with chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic cancer
Treating pancreatic cancer
