What's Up with your Gut?

This is a very useful handbook for anyone suffering from a variety of gut-related disorders such as bloating, IBS (as above) and gluten sensitivity. The authors combine specialist knowledge with journalistic expertise. The figures speak for themselves: up to one in five GP consultations is for gut symptoms while 41% of patients never visit their doctor to discuss digestive complaints. In 2014 some 18 million laxative products were prescribed in GP practices for constipation, which accounted for a staggering 666,287 hospital admissions in the same year. Many factors may be responsible for this situation, including drug side effects, changes in diet and correspondingly in gut flora. And as 80% of our immune system is in the gut, sorting out our digestive problems is essential for good health. The book's symptom-led approach makes it very useful as a user's guide.