This article is from the Inflammatory Bowel Disease FAQ, by Susan Blank smb@panix.com with numerous contributions by others.
"The Angry Gut- Coping with Colitis & Crohn's Disease", W. Grant
Thompson, M.D. (Plenum, 1993). ISBN 0-306-44470-4(hardcover).
This is a technical overview of IBD covering anatomy, how the gut
works, history and epidemiology, possible causes, treatments and
complications and medications (not entirely up to date as the book was
published in 1989).
The book claims in it's foreword to be written for the layman, but be
forewarned the anatomy chapter is quite detailed with lots of medical
terminology. Let's put it this way, after reading this chapter you
will be able to understand the research reports in the national
newsletter! (Do you know the difference between your sub-mucosa and
your myenteric plexus?) The remainder of the book is more
'reader-friendly' with lots of good information for the newly
diagnosed.
Interesting statistics included the fact that, in Europe and North
America, the incidence (number of new cases per year) of IBD is 15-20
per 100,000, and the prevalence (number of sufferers) is 150 to 200
per 100,000. That translates into statistics for Victoria (population
@ 350,000) of 52 to 70 new cases per year and 525 to 700 sufferers. No
wonder the gastros are so busy! The good news is that a study of
Crohn's patients in Copenhagen showed that any one time, 45% were in
complete remission and another 25% had a low level of activity. 75%
were able to work normally, and mortality was no different than the
general population. The statistics for Ulcerative Colitis were even
better as many were 'cured' permanently by a colectomy.
This is a good information book, although the title is somewhat
misleading as not much was covered as to "coping" with it.
 
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