A Gastroenterologist’s Guide to Gut Health: Everything You Need to Know About Colonoscopy, Digestive Diseases, and Healthy Eating

In easy-to-understand language, Novick, a gastroenterologist, explains the many problems that can arise in the gastrointestinal tract. He rightly starts with the biggest one: colon cancer. Last year, 134,490 Americans were diagnosed with it, and 49,190 Americans died from it. Novick includes many interesting details about the bowel prep and anesthesia required for colonoscopies. For example, most patients get what’s called 'conscious' or 'twilight' sedation for their colonoscopies, but doctors prefer to use total IV anesthesia in patients who drink heavily or who regularly use sedatives or opioid pain medications. Novick also ably covers many other GI problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, and heartburn. Without passing judgment, he notes that excessive alcohol use is a risk factor for pancreatitis, and smoking and obesity are risk factors for pancreatic cancer. At the end, he shares 19 patient-empowering tips for getting the most from doctor visits, including knowing that it’s OK not to accept every recommendation. And he includes a bibliography and index—and a helpful glossary that explains unfamiliar terms like villous adenoma. (It’s a colon polyp.) Charts and shaded boxes also make this guide reader-friendly. ― Booklist

[Dr. Novick’s] book focuses primarily on our internal health and well being – a subject which, unfortunately, many people feel uncomfortable discussing. The book, which is very well-written and easy for anyone to understand, is copiously illustrated and contains chapters on colonoscopies, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, heartburn and acid reflux, liver disease, and how to maintain good eating habits…. I cannot recommend Dr. Novick’s new book highly enough…. Novick’s easy, relaxed writing style belies his expertise, really shining and making it easy for the lay reader to grasp the material…. Dr. David Novick has written a simple yet important book, one whose information is – forgive me – easily digested, and one which all adults need to examine. ― Dayton City Paper

The gut is one of the most important parts of our body, keeping it in shape is a key to staying healthy. I am delighted to see that my long-time friend Dr. Novick took the time to explain the functions of each part of our gut, the consequences if our gut is not in good shape, and how to prevent gastrointestinal and liver diseases. This book combines up-to-date medical information and decades of experience of the author. It is an easy read for everyone interested in maintaining gut health or in keeping gut ailments away. -- Anna S. Lok, MD, Director of Clinical Hepatology, Assistant Dean for Clinical Research, University of Michigan

An appealing and informative book that belongs in every doctor’s waiting room! Gastroenterology procedures scare people, but this book will reassure them. -- Martha Moody, physician and best-selling author of Best Friends and Sharp and Dangerous Virtues

Despite all the publicity, too many people do not get colon cancer screening or other needed care. Dr. Novick’s book uses clear medical writing and humor to help people overcome their fears. -- Annie Roboff, song and music writer, This Kiss, That’s the Way, and Unbroken

I wish I had this book before my colonoscopy, as it would have assuaged my fears about how a colonoscopy will feel (like nothing!) and calmed my nerves about what I might say under sedation (which thankfully wasn't much). -- Courtney Reagan, CNBC reporter

Dr. Novick’s book is the third in recent years to clearly explain the digestive system. Gut brilliantly explains how it works, Gulp gives the fascinating back-stories, and this book gives you the elements of successful diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Novick’s expertise provides authentic and accessible information regarding gut health. This is a book everyone should read. -- Anne Marie Romer, RN, GI Nurse and Author of Blog, The Space Between

As an advocate for people to have colonoscopies (an earlier one could have saved my husband’s life), I found this book to be ‘just what the doctor ordered.’ If one life is saved through this book, then Dr. Novick’s commitment and hard work will have been worth it. I think it will help many. -- Kate Carlisle, a badgering but loving advocate for colonoscopy

Millions of Americans have complaints about, or disorders of, the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas, all of which comprise the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This book provides accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information on the most common GI disorders.

Written by a gastroenterologist with decades of clinical and research experience, A Gastroenterologist’s Guide to Gut Health provides the advice that Dr. Novick gives to patients in his practice every day, written in a clear, conversational, and easily understandable style. Advocating strongly for colon cancer screening and prevention, he walks readers through the process of colonoscopy, demystifying the procedure so patients know exactly what to expect. A review of alternatives to colonoscopy are also included.

In addition to colonoscopy and colon cancer, Dr. Novick reviews irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), celiac disease, acid reflux, hepatitis C, hemorrhoids, and many other GI diseases. He provides clear and specific details on best nutrition practices and explains how to get the most out of your visit to the doctor. Anyone with questions about digestive health, prevention, and screening will find here a ready and accessible resource for staying healthy and feeling good.

David M. Novick, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with extensive clinical and research experience. He is a Fellow in the American College of Physicians and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. He is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio and an adjunct faculty member at The Rockefeller University in New York City. Novick has more than 70 medical publications. He is a 2014 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition award winner and is published in HippocampusMagazine, Fix.com, and Ohio Lawyer. He is currently in private practice in gastroenterology with special interests in liver diseases and addiction medicine.