Published by the forCrohns charity (6th May 2015)
ISBN: 978-1500601690
Available from www.forCrohns.org and Amazon UK. All profits will go towards funding a wide variety of research into Crohn's disease.
Publisher's description
Book forCrohns is a 'community in a book' - a one-stop shop for anyone with Crohn's disease, their family, friends and loved ones. It covers all the expected topics such as diagnosis, drugs and surgery whilst also exploring more lifestyle-related topics - having a relationship when you have Crohn's, having children or a career when you have the condition. In addition, there is a chapter written by and for children and young people with Crohn's, and an entire section written by and for the relatives and loved ones of the condition.
Throughout the book, a wide range of medical professionals have written in layman's terms about their area of expertise. Every chapter has numerous real life accounts directly from those with the donation, commented on by a medical expert and each chapter brings you tips and suggestions from those who know best.
About Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bowel. It affects around 115,000 people in the UK, most commonly starting between the ages of 15 and 40 and then later at age 60. The symptoms vary in severity and usually flare up and down, but often include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and unintentional weight loss. Some people also experience fever, fatigue and feeling sick or actual vomiting. In around half of Crohn's patients, the disease progresses to a more severe form, with narrowing of the bowel and blockages carrying a risk of infection. People with Crohn's are at an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies, leading to anaemia and/or osteoporosis. Common treatments include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, specialised diets and possibly surgery.
My verdict
Book for Crohns is an essential reference guide for anyone living with Crohn's disease, whether you have the condition yourself, you are a friend or family member or a healthcare professional in the field. The book is packed full of easy-to-read information, with well-explained medical jargon and scientific terms.
Book for Crohns has three main sections. The first section is devoted to Crohn's disease from a medical point of view, covering the symptoms, treatment, management and living with the disease. The second section looks at Crohn's disease from the point of view of those with the condition, with case studies and testimonies on coping with the diagnosis, having surgery, following nutrition and diet advice and dealing with everyday life situations (e.g. at work, relationships and having children). Alongside these stories, there are relevant facts and guidance from key healthcare professionals. There are also lists of practical tips and suggestions to help you cope with having Crohn's disease. The third section, Crohn's disease from the loved ones, contains experiences of partners and family members. There are also two short chapters covering 'What the future holds' and 'Links and further information'.
If you have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, or know someone who has, this is an ideal book to give you reliable background information and practical advice. All profits from book sales go towards research into Crohn's disease.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the forCrohns charity in exchange for an honest review.
I got an ARC of this too, I couldn't get through it purely due to the layout. My first copy was covered in watermark, the second, I had to scroll up and down and across to read on the kindle. I tried to read it on the laptop but it just isn't practical. What e reader did you use?
ReplyDeleteWhat I did get through I really enjoyed and though it was informative and well written, I may have to buy it to be honest so I can read the rest of it.
Great review
Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
I read it on the iPad kindle app. It was no good on my kindle itself.
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