First Year: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year Series) » (Revised)

Jill Sklar, a freelance writer specializing in medical writing, has written many articles on medical subjects from heart transplantation to digestive diseases for publications including Hour Detroit Magazine, Style Magazine, and Digestive Health & Nutrition Magazine. She is on the board of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Michigan Chapter. Sklar lives in Huntington Woods, Michigan, with her husband and son.

This newly revised edition includes new research and insights to help everyone newly diagnosed with IBD come to terms with their condition and the accompanying lifestyle changes – along with other vital information about IBD.

Foreword   Manuel Sklar, MD     xi
Preface to the Second Edition     xiii
Introduction     xvii
Day 1
Living: It's Not Your Fault     1
Learning: What is IBD?     6
Day 2
Living: Grieving: Are You Sure?     13
Learning: What the Tests Tell Us     19
Day 3
Living: Acceptance and Hope     27
Learning: The Workplace, the Law, and IBD     32
Day 4
Living: Finding Solace and Support     38
Learning: How the Diseases Work     45
Day 5
Living: Assembling Your Health Care Team     51
Learning: The Intestinal Complications of IBD     62
Day 6
Living: When to Call the Doctor     69
Learning: The Ailments That Accompany IBD     73
Day 7
Living: Coping with Pain     87
Learning: Genetics and Other Causative Factors of IBD     92
First-Week Milestone     103
Week 2
Learning: The Role of Medication in the Treatment of IBD     105
Living: Living with the Effects of Medication     119
Week 3
Learning: Drugs That Help, Drugs That Hurt     125
Living: Compliance     131
Week 4
Learning: Vitamins, Herbs and Other Essential Nutrients     137
Living: Seeking Alternative Therapy     145
First-Month Milestone     151
Month 2
Learning: The Role of Nutrition     153
Living: What Can I Eat? What Should I Avoid?     157
Month 3
Learning: Non-Ostomy Surgical Options     168
Living: Surviving Surgery and Other Hospital Stays     175
Month 4
Learning: The Ostomy     182
Living: Coping with the Ostomy     188
Months 5
Learning: Cancer and IBD     194
Living: Surviving the Colonoscopy Prep and Other Awful Tests     200
Month 6
Learning: Sex and Fertility     209
Living: Intimacy Issues     212
Half-Year Milestone     215
Month 7
Learning: Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Lactation     217
Living: Coping with Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Recovery with IBD     226
Month 8
Living: Living Daily Life     229
Learning: Remission: Life Beyond Disease     238
Month 9
Living: Travel and IBD     242
Learning: Insurance and IBD     248
Month 10
Living: Children and IBD     257
Learning: Treatments for Children with IBD     266
Month 11
Learning: Understanding Research     270
Living: Participating in Research      277
Month 12
Living: Moving On     283
Learning: Finding a Cure     287
Glossary     289
For Further Reading     295
Resources     297
Acknowledgments     299
Index     301