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A Woman's Guide to a Healthy Stomach: Taking Control of Your Digestive Health
Why do my jeans fit only in the morning? Why am I always guzzling Pepto-Bismol before a big meeting? Could my PMS cramps mean something serious?Here, finally, are the answers to these questions, and hundreds more, about the nagging stomach problems that plague so many women. In this reassuring guide, Dr. Jacqueline L. Wolf, a leading expert in the field of gastrointestinal health, explains the causes and cures for women's most common digestive ailments (including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, IBS) and more serious, life-altering conditions like Crohn's disease and endometriosis. This candid book deals with sensitive issues in a down-to-earth way and eradicates once and for all the secrecy and shame surrounding these urgent problems.
- GenresNonfictionHealthAdult
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
25 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 10, 2014
If I had known that this book was mostly conventional medical opinion vs a more natural holistic approach, I would have never bothered with it. Also, it doesn't really offer the reader an actual solution to their digestive problems; unless you count taking various prescription medications or over the counter drugs like Imodium & Pepto-Bismol. My problem with this is taking a drug merely covers up a problem; it is not a cure. Aside from that, the author even lists all the possible side effects from taking these drugs. Some drugs she mentions are no longer available to the public - probably pulled for safety issues! I know it is just my personal opinion, but I want to find out what causes my digestive problems & make the necessary changes to get better! I am not interested in loading my body up with drugs that will cause me to have a whole host of brand new health problems.
To my surprise the author does mention the SCD aka Specific Carbohydrate Diet, as well as recommending enteric coated peppermint oil capsules.
I know that everything cannot be solved the holistic way. For these issues where surgery or extreme measures are likely the only solution, I feel that this book touches on topics to give the reader a general idea of what to expect when they go to the Dr. for treatment.
Most of the book is based on the authors experiences with her patients conditions & what she did to treat the patient. What she usually did was listen (rare for a Dr.), & then prescribe something to see how it goes. If it didn't work she would prescribe something else, repeat. She would also recommend particular tests depending on what her patient described. Is it a food allergy? Celiac? Crones? Helicobacter pylori((H. pylori)- the bacteria responsible for most ulcers and stomach inflammation.) causing acid reflux? Stress? Endometriosis? Some patients had life improvements from surgery & prescriptions combinations. I say improvements - they are not 100% - just better than they were. This is hardly a success in my mind! Some patients were a bit easier to treat. Example if they have Celiac & the correct diet is followed they don't suffer anymore.
The author also listed various foods that we humans don't digest well. What causes gas, what to eat to help constipation, what Dr.s believe causes excess acid in the stomach (though I don't fully agree.. & no, I am not a Dr. but they don't know everything!).
So overall I would say that this book is okay. It does have some helpful information that I feel wont cause harm. It can be useful if you have unexplored digestive issues & you are looking for some answers. I strongly suggest looking into a holistic approach to improving your health before you start popping drugs. For those of you who think I'm crazy & drugs are the answer, then you will probably love this book! Those looking for a natural approach should look elsewhere.
To my surprise the author does mention the SCD aka Specific Carbohydrate Diet, as well as recommending enteric coated peppermint oil capsules.
I know that everything cannot be solved the holistic way. For these issues where surgery or extreme measures are likely the only solution, I feel that this book touches on topics to give the reader a general idea of what to expect when they go to the Dr. for treatment.
Most of the book is based on the authors experiences with her patients conditions & what she did to treat the patient. What she usually did was listen (rare for a Dr.), & then prescribe something to see how it goes. If it didn't work she would prescribe something else, repeat. She would also recommend particular tests depending on what her patient described. Is it a food allergy? Celiac? Crones? Helicobacter pylori((H. pylori)- the bacteria responsible for most ulcers and stomach inflammation.) causing acid reflux? Stress? Endometriosis? Some patients had life improvements from surgery & prescriptions combinations. I say improvements - they are not 100% - just better than they were. This is hardly a success in my mind! Some patients were a bit easier to treat. Example if they have Celiac & the correct diet is followed they don't suffer anymore.
The author also listed various foods that we humans don't digest well. What causes gas, what to eat to help constipation, what Dr.s believe causes excess acid in the stomach (though I don't fully agree.. & no, I am not a Dr. but they don't know everything!).
So overall I would say that this book is okay. It does have some helpful information that I feel wont cause harm. It can be useful if you have unexplored digestive issues & you are looking for some answers. I strongly suggest looking into a holistic approach to improving your health before you start popping drugs. For those of you who think I'm crazy & drugs are the answer, then you will probably love this book! Those looking for a natural approach should look elsewhere.
July 17, 2011
Before finishing the first page I was crying because I knew this book was going to change my life. I was 16 when I first saw a doctor about my volatile stomach. Over the next dozen years, I talked to five doctors, was put on seven different medications and suffered through countless tests to try living a normal life, yet nothing seemed to help—and often aggravated—the situation. After years of no doctors being willing to take the time to figure out what works for me, I gave up trying. But this book brings me hope.
More than 25 percent of women suffer from digestive disorders, but we’re embarrassed to talk about them, even to our doctors. Bathroom talk might be funny to preteen boys, but for women weighed down by responsibilities, commitments and expectations, it's no laughing matter.
I know some people are disappointed in this book. They feel it doesn’t focus enough on lifestyle choices, it’s not very organized, it uses too much medical terminology. I can understand why some readers feel this why, but I think the author is trying to give us the tools necessary to talk about our digestive health and not just give a list of dietary changes that may help some people while not helping others. She even says at the very beginning of the book that she doesn’t know enough about holistic remedies to be able to make informed recommendations, so if you’re looking for alternatives to medical options, this book isn’t for you. Instead, it's a starting point for people like me who have been frustrated when trying to talk to physicians and can’t figure out why—no matter what I try to cut out of my diet—the symptoms change but never get better.
I'm now armed with the right questions to ask and a plan of action. I better understand how menstruation affects my digestive system and why my acid reflux complicates treatment options. For the first time, I have the vocabulary to be able to talk to my doctor without feeling like a hypochondriac. There's a light at the end of the tunnel that I'll be able to eat out with friends and not fear losing my job because mornings are so difficult. My digestive issues are a family joke and unreasonably restrict my dietary choices (no dairy, corn, fruit, many vegetables, meat, oils, vinegar, sugar, beans, nuts, spices), but after finishing this book, I feel empowered. And when it comes to my stomach, that's not a feeling I've ever had in my 29 years.
More than 25 percent of women suffer from digestive disorders, but we’re embarrassed to talk about them, even to our doctors. Bathroom talk might be funny to preteen boys, but for women weighed down by responsibilities, commitments and expectations, it's no laughing matter.
I know some people are disappointed in this book. They feel it doesn’t focus enough on lifestyle choices, it’s not very organized, it uses too much medical terminology. I can understand why some readers feel this why, but I think the author is trying to give us the tools necessary to talk about our digestive health and not just give a list of dietary changes that may help some people while not helping others. She even says at the very beginning of the book that she doesn’t know enough about holistic remedies to be able to make informed recommendations, so if you’re looking for alternatives to medical options, this book isn’t for you. Instead, it's a starting point for people like me who have been frustrated when trying to talk to physicians and can’t figure out why—no matter what I try to cut out of my diet—the symptoms change but never get better.
I'm now armed with the right questions to ask and a plan of action. I better understand how menstruation affects my digestive system and why my acid reflux complicates treatment options. For the first time, I have the vocabulary to be able to talk to my doctor without feeling like a hypochondriac. There's a light at the end of the tunnel that I'll be able to eat out with friends and not fear losing my job because mornings are so difficult. My digestive issues are a family joke and unreasonably restrict my dietary choices (no dairy, corn, fruit, many vegetables, meat, oils, vinegar, sugar, beans, nuts, spices), but after finishing this book, I feel empowered. And when it comes to my stomach, that's not a feeling I've ever had in my 29 years.
March 21, 2018
This book was pretty boring to read. A lot of it was just drug names and charts of drug names. After reading the whole book, I don't feel like I got enough information out of it. It's like reading q and a advice for random people on a website. I would not recommend this book.
April 8, 2020
Well written summary of what could be wrong with your digestive tract and what to do about it. Author is a gastrointestinal doctor.
March 14, 2017
This is a good book about the digestive system, its problems, and its diseases. A little repetitive in some spots.
March 15, 2016
This is the book you will want in hand if you have problems with your stomach and other digestive health issues. If you have acid reflux, heartburn (this is the worst), bloating, constipation, gas, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome, this book discusses each of these issues. At some time in your life, you will have one or more of these problems. When it happens, this is the book you will want on hand to help you to solve each and every one of these problems. Throughout the book, questions are asked and answered that they feel would benefit many of you in ways that will help you to change your digestive health. For example, to prevent heartburn, one of the things that I do is smoke. It says that smoking not only damages your esophagus (of course we know this) it may curb your appetite, but it can also decrease your LES pressure and decrease saliva which is what helps neutralize acid (preventing heartburn). Add smoking and laying down after eating, and you're in for a bout of heartburn. Don't let this happen. Resolve these problems in advance, or at the start by reading this book today.
March 26, 2012
Wow! This book is amazing because now in day ladies are trying to lose weight with pills and not do exercise! I think its good to try to lose weight but not with pills. Reading this book was like having a nutritionist teaching me how to eat and lose weight. I learned so much from this book that it help me control my food and decided what is best for my body! Also reading this book help me understand how many people have bad habits of controlling their food and doing exercise and the best part is that now I can help women and any people to lose weight and helping them to avoid drinking pills.
February 6, 2011
As someone who suffers from more than one digestive ailment, I think this was a great resource for helping women to deal with the trials of a volatile digestive system. This book was divided into logical chapters, and each chapter had subheadings in the form of questions for easy access to the information you need, so you can skip the information you don't need.
I highly recommend this book to any woman who suffers from stomach issues.
I highly recommend this book to any woman who suffers from stomach issues.
December 4, 2015
Meant to read the whole thing but, after reading a few chapters, decided it was easier to skim and read only the parts that pertained to my situation.
Dr. Wolf gives good advice and solutions to a variety of intestinal problems. She also made me glad that my situation is only temporary and I'm not caught in a never ending cycle of doctor's visits and misdiagnosis.
It was good to get another brief introduction to a healthy diet and recommended nutrition.
Dr. Wolf gives good advice and solutions to a variety of intestinal problems. She also made me glad that my situation is only temporary and I'm not caught in a never ending cycle of doctor's visits and misdiagnosis.
It was good to get another brief introduction to a healthy diet and recommended nutrition.
June 13, 2014
I gave the book three stars because it provided sound-practical advise on dealing with a lot of common GI ailments. Yes, I would recommend this book to anyone for the information alone. Also, it was a very quick read. Thanks!
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March 11, 2017Category: Health, Fitness and Diet
June 4, 2011
A great resource with lots of answers to oft-unasked questions.
June 9, 2011
Very informative book for those suffering with ibs.
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March 11, 2017Category: Health, Fitness and Diet
June 9, 2012
Predictable. Nothing new here.
July 12, 2013
Insightful chapter on endometriosis was helpful to me.
January 6, 2016
Eh, it's informative in terms of why our bodies do what they do. But most of the solutions involved medication. I'd prefer other ways to resolve my stomach issues.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews