Digestive Problems Solved: A Patient's Guide to Expert Insights and Solutions

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. Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Contents Part I: The Gastrointestinal System and Digestive Problems: A Fundamental Primer Chapter 1: Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Function: A High-Yield Overview Anatomy of the GI System: What it Consists of Digestive Tract Esophagus Stomach Small Intestine Large Intestine Accessory Organs and Structures Liver Gallbladder Pancreas Function of the GI System: How it Works Six Main Functions of the GI System Ingestion Mechanical Digestion Chemical Digestion Movements Absorption Elimination Organic Versus Functional GI Disorders Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 2: The Burden of Digestive Problems: Common and Impactful A Disclaimer about Assessing the Burden of Digestive Problems Digestive Problems Are Common and Have a Profound Impact Nationally Burden OF Digestive Problems at the Individual Level Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 3: Distinguishing Benign Symptoms from Red Flags What Makes a Symptom “Benign”? The Different Meanings of “Benign”: Context Matters Potential Confusion Surrounding the Term “Benign” What Are “Red Flags” in Medicine? “Red Flags” don’t Always Indicate Doom and Gloom Putting it all Together Further Reading Part II: Triggers and Causes of Digestive Problems: A Broad Spectrum of Possibilities Chapter 4: Genes, Food, Environment, and Beyond What Types of Things can Trigger Digestive Problems? Intrinsic Factors Genetics Aging Pregnancy Menstrual Cycle Extrinsic Factors Food Water Air Chemicals Medications Behavioral Factors Mental Health and Psychosocial Issues Cultural Considerations Lifestyle Habits Caveats Regarding the Relationship Between Triggers and Digestive Problems Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 5: Flow Problems: Digestive Tract Blockages and Dysmotility What Causes Problems with GI Flow Digestive Tract Blockage Digestive Tract Dysmotility What Are the Symptoms of Flow Problems? Bloating: A Common Problem that Is Sometimes but Not Always Due to Flow Issues Aerophagia Increased Production of Gas Abnormal Dissipation of Gas Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 6: The Intestinal Microbiome: Friends, Foes, and Unknowns A Primer on the Immune System: A Starting Point for Understanding the Microbiome What Constitutes the Intestinal Microbiome? What Is the Relationship Between the Intestinal Microbiome and Digestive Problems? What to Do about my Intestinal Microbiome Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 7: The Role of Stress and Psychological Factors A Disclaimer on Stress, Psychological Factors, and Functional Disorders Stress and Digestive Problems What to Do about Stress? Psychological Factors and Digestive Problems What to Do about Psychological Factors? Putting it all Together Further Reading Part III: Medical Evaluation and Diagnosis: Pearls, Pitfalls, and What I Wish I Knew Sooner Chapter 8: Effectively Navigating the Path to Seeing a Subspecialist An Overview of “Referrals” What Is a “Referral”, and What Purpose Does it Serve? Who Makes Referrals to Gastroenterology, and Why Does this Matter? Steps after a Referral Is Received The Nature and Quality of a Referral The Low-quality Referral: Where Gaps Can Potentially Emerge The Referring Provider as the Hub Interface Between Patient and the Referring Provider: The Basis of the Referral Things to Do Pre-Visit Things to Do during the Visit Interface Between the Referring Provider and Subspecialist: The Pitch of the Referral As you Await the Subspecialist Visit When Time Comes to See the Subspecialist Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 9: Following a Practical Sequence in Testing Components and Sequence of the Medical Diagnostic Evalution When Is (Further) Testing Needed? Instances Where the Usual Testing Sequence May Not Be Best A Few Words on Endoscopy How Do I Know if My Evaluation Is Complete? Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 10: The Unifying Diagnosis: Often but Not Always Correct Basis of the Unifying Diagnosis Problems with the Unifying Diagnosis The Unifying Diagnosis: Use Only if it Fits Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 11: Seeking a Second Opinion: When and Where Should I Obtain a Second Opinion? The Benefits of a Second Opinion Situations that Merit a Second Opinion Concerns Around Getting a Second Opinion Where and How to Obtain a Second Opinion Where to Go for a Second Opinion How to Go About Obtaining a Second Opinion Digestive Problem Scenarios Where You May Benefit from a Second Opinion Putting it all Together Further Reading Part IV: Treatments and Solutions: Each Patient Is Unique, and One Size Doesn’t Fit All Chapter 12: Initial Approaches: Lifestyle and Dietary Modifications The Association Between Lifestyle, Diet, and Digestive Problems Areas for Reflection and Potential Modification Exercise Sleep Work Dynamics Drinking and Smoking Dietary Intake Specific Diets Eating Logistics Changes that Come with the Aging Process Lactose Intolerance and Food Sensitivity A Tendency Toward Constipation Diverticulosis and Diverticular Disease Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 13: Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medications OTC Medications for Digestive Disorders Advantages of OTC Medications Disadvantages to OTC Medications Prescription Medications for Digestive Problems: Guiding Principles Starting Dose How to Take When to Anticipate the Medication to Take Effect Even a “Good” Prescription Medication Can Be Ineffective or Cause Adverse Effects Duration of Treatment The Optimal Long-Term Dose When/Whether to Consider Switching Putting it all Together Further Reading Chapter 14: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Approaches What Is “CAM”? Confusion Regarding the Expression “CAM” When Can CAM Be Used? The First Subgroup of CAM: Natural Products Things to Bear in Mind Regarding Natural Products A Primer on Probiotics Informed Use of Probiotics The Second Subgroup of cam: Mind-Body Medicine Behavioral Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Stress Management Therapy Biofeedback Therapy Integrative Medicine: Taking cam to the Next Level Putting it all Together Further Reading Index