Many gastroenterologists refer to microscopic colitis as a nuisance disease with a benign course. Some doctors seem to confuse it with IBS and they try to treat it as though it were IBS. For many patients though, the disease proves to be debilitating and life-altering, and the treatment options offered by one's doctor may not provide effective relief. Because there is a lot of truth in the observation that microscopic colitis can only be truly understood by someone who actually has the disease, one can learn vital information from others who have discovered ways to live with it, and control it, without a need for medications, in many cases.
This book covers the history of the disease and how it is diagnosed, all of the commonly-prescribed treatment methods, and some of the most successful treatment methods that are generally unknown in the mainstream medical community. It discusses current research that shows promise for the development of future treatments, and it includes the author's theory of how inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune disease actually develops, supported by numerous medical research articles.
Though there are no easy solutions, patients can definitely can get their life back if they are willing to learn more about the disease, and use that knowledge to fine tune their treatment program. This book is a common sense guide for understanding, controlling, and living with microscopic colitis, and it provides insight into ways to help avoid the development of additional autoimmune diseases. This is a revised, up-to-date edition of the original Microscopic Colitis book.
Wayne Persky was born, grew up, and currently lives in Central Texas. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, College of Engineering, with postgraduate studies in mechanical engineering, mathematics, and computer science. He has teaching experience in engineering, and business experience in farming and agribusiness. After the onset of severe digestive system and general health problems in the late 1990s, he went through extensive clinical testing, but the GI specialist failed to take biopsies during a colonoscopy exam, and even failed to test for celiac disease. Afterward, not surprisingly, he was told by his gastroenterologist that there was nothing wrong with him. Unable to find a medical solution, he was forced to use his research skills to discover innovative ways to resolve his health issues. After extensive study, he identified the likely source of the problem as food sensitivities. It took a year and a half of avoiding all traces of gluten, plus trial and error experimentation with other foods, and careful record-keeping, to track down all of the food issues. But once he eliminated all of them from his diet, he got his life back. He currently administrates an online microscopic colitis discussion and support forum, while continuing to research medical issues that are not adequately addressed by mainstream medicine. He is also the founder and president of the Microscopic Colitis Foundation.
