While it's not generally a topic for polite conversation, the startling fact is that one in seven people in Australia experience symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). And anyone who's had a bad bowel day knows this is a very unpleasant thing.

A gut gone bad can be hard to live with. An unhealthy gut might be causing reflux or heartburn, diarrhoea, halitosis or flatulence. You may have ulcers, coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, or that very general blanket diagnosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

But take heart, if you are suffering from IBS, there are many things you can do to help your condition, including medical therapies, changing your lifestyle and diet, reducing stress and a range of alternate therapies such as massage.

A comprehensive source of authoritative and up-to-date information and advice, Gut Instincts aims to give you the knowledge to understand your disease and make the necessary changes to improve your health. In this book, as well as an anatomical explanation of the gastrointestinal tract, there is clear and easy-to-understand explanation and discussion about each disorder, including what you can expect at the doctor's surgery, information to help you understand the sort of treatments available to you, useful preventative measures, and advice on how to cope with the gut disease you have.

The book also includes comprehensive lists of recommended reading, helpful websites, self-help groups, specialist medical centres and support organisations as well as a bibliography and a list of further resources.