Table of Contents

Introduction.

PART I: UNDERSTANDING HOW YOUR GUT WORKS AND HOW TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS.

1. What We Know about the Gut: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

2. How to Find A Gastroenterologist and the Proper Diagnosis.

3. What You Need to Know about Endoscopic Procedures for Diagnosis and Treatment.

PART II: MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR DISORDERS AND DISEASES OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM.

4. The Esophagus.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Benign Esophageal Tumors and Cancer.
Other Disorders of the Esophagus.

5. The Stomach.
Dyspepsia, Gastritis, and Ulcers.
Benign Gastric Tumors and Stomach Cancer.
Other Disorders of the Stomach.

6. The Small Intestine.
Celiac Disease.
Other Disorders of the Small Intestine.

7. The Gallbladder.
Gallstones.
Other Conditions of the Gallbladder.

8. The Pancreas.
Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer.

9. The Liver.
Hepatitis.
Cholestatic and Metabolic Liver Diseases.
Cirrhosis of the Liver and Liver Failure.
Liver Biopsy, Tumors, Cancer, and Transplantation.
Other Conditions of the Liver.

10. The Colon and Rectum.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis.
Colon Polyps and Polyposis Syndromes.
Colon Cancer.
Anorectal and Perianal Disorders.

11. The Abdominal Cavity.
Abdominal Wall and Groin Hernias.
Appendicitis.

PART III: MAINTAINING GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH.

12. A Commonsense Guide to Diet and Exercise.

Appendix: Resources.

Index.

About the Author

PAUL MISKOVITZ, M.D., is Clinical Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He is also an attending physician at New York–Presbyterian Hospital and has been regularly chosen as one of America's Top Doctors in the book of the same name.

MARIAN BETANCOURT is a journalist and author of more than a dozen books. She is the coauthor of several health books, including The Prostate Cancer Sourcebook (Wiley) and What to Do If You Get Colon Cancer (Wiley), which she cowrote with Dr. Miskovitz.

Reviews

"This is the reference guide you dream about--answers to all your important questions, written in a language you can understand. For everyone who wants better health and peace of mind." --Diane Sawyer, Co-anchor of ABCNews? Good Morning America and Primetime Thursday "An important, practical, easy-to-read and understand source of information for anyone with a chronic gastrointestinal problem." --Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D., Rossi Distinguished Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center and bestselling author "As a long time patient of Dr. Miskovitz, I highly recommend The Doctor's Guide to Gastrointestinal Health for anyone wanting to know the vital importance of preventative procedures--before it's too late." --Warner Wolf, TV and radio sportscaster and author of Let's Go to the Videotape ' "This book will provide for patients and their relatives authoritative, up-to-date information about most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The disorders are clearly explained and available treatments are outlined in clear language. Of special importance is the description of various diagnostic procedures used in gastroenterology, together with important information about what patients can expect before, during and after these treatments. This should go a long way toward relieving the anxiety that accompanies diagnostic procedures." Jeremiah A. Barondess, M.D., President of The New York Academy of Medicine