Other books you may find useful are listed below. Please note that they are not obtainable through IA, and you should order them via your local book supplier, or from an on-line book retailer such as Amazon

Living with a Stoma - by Dr. Craig A. White Every year many thousands of people have a stoma - ileostomy and colostomy are the commonest types. For those who have them the surgery is life-saving, but they can be hard to adjust to, and even though no-one may know that you have a stoma it can make you feel self-concious and different. Dr. Craig White is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked with many stoma patients and talked to them about their fears and anxieties.

In this book he explains in clear, straightforward terms all aspects of living with a stoma, including ways to feel more comfortable with it, and helps you overcome any embarrassment you may feel in talking to doctors and other healthcare professionals, in order to get the best possible help and support. Order quoting code ISBN 0-85969-754-1

The Essentials of Pouch Care Nursing - by Julia Williams (review by Jeanette Salisbury-Jones which appeared in IA Journal 176)  This book  is primarily of interest to the medical profession, but also includes information of use to pouch patients. The book starts by giving the reader a detailed history of bowel disorders that may result in pouch surgery. The first three chapters cover ulcerative colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis and bowel cancer. It goes on to explain about the different types of pouch and how they are formed.

The book gives valuable information to any nurse or healthcare worker working with patients who are considering, or have already got, an internal pouch. As a ‘pouchie’ myself I was very interested in the chapter on dietary information, although some of the information given is quite technical. Having read the book I can appreciate, and understand more fully, the treatment I received both before, and after, my surgery. The book goes on to cover the subject of children and teenagers undergoing ileo-anal surgery. It explains the reasons for surgery, and the affect it may have on them. There is also a section on sexual aspects and the pouch. This chapter also talks about body image with a stoma before pouch surgery (something only ileostomist would understand). The final chapter in the book contains accounts from five different pouch patients, explaining about their lives with a pouch. Although I feel this book is mainly aimed at the medical profession, there is a lot of information that I benefited from. At the end there are some useful addresses and telephone numbers of groups connected with the book. Order quoting code ISBN 1-86156-221-7.

The Good Gut Guide - by Stephanie Zinser Described by Professor John Nicholls, FRCS as 'An invaluable book for anyone with a bowel or digestive problem.' and by Claire Rayner as 'A splendidly detailed book - it will be a life-saver for a great many people.' Things that go wrong with your guts cause great embarrassment and this in turn can make illnesses frightening. In this book, Stephanie Zinser - a health writer who, prior to surgery, had suffered from ulcerative colitis for 10 years - discusses gut and bowel disorders in a simple and direct manner.

The result is a mine of information on the symptoms and causes of gut-related problems, and a thorough investigation of available medical tests, treatments, and surgery. Also, because people want to know about every aspect of healthcare, 'The Good Gut Guide' offers comprehensive advice on diet, lifestyle, complimentary medicine, and support groups. At the same time, it pays much-needed attention to the person behind the illness, exploring the effects that chronic or embarrassing illnesses can have on our daily lives, our states of mind, and our relationships. Order quoting ISBN number 0-00-713805-9

Probiotics for Crohn's & Colitis - by Peter Cartwright (Review by Professor Subrata Ghosh) This book fulfils a major requirement as there is so much interest in probiotics. In an immensely readable, compact volume, packed full of information, the reader is given a feel for the promise of probiotics as well as the limitations of our knowledge. The book is very well researched and written in plain, but entertaining English. Numerous anecdotes illustrate how probiotics have managed to become so ‘fashionable’ after being discredited for many years.

Discussion of the links between intestinal bacteria and the development of IBD is followed by analysis of the evidence for benefit in different forms of IBD and pouchitis. The book also devotes a chapter to other conditions which may benefit from probiotics. Patients, the general public, nurses and doctors can all benefit from reading this book, and be able to appeal to such a wide ranging readership is a testimony to the skill with which this book is put together. (review reproduced by kind permission of NACC News) The book is published by Prentice Publishing, PO Box 1704, Ilford, IG5 0WN (phone 0208 551 6192 or visit www.prentice-publishing.co.uk) ISBN : 0 9544438 0 2 – price £9.99 + £2 postage. It can also be ordered via the Amazon website.

Coping with Diverticulitis - by Peter Cartwright This book offers an informative and comprehensive guide to diverticular disease. The topics covered include :  types of diverticular disease, diagnosis and tests, treatment (including bowel rest and antibiotics),  the benefits of exercise, the right diet and how to boost your fibre intake, and psychological and lifestyle aspects of diverticular disease. ISBN 978-0-85969-985-3