Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes two chronic conditions, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It has remained for too long the secret illness no one wants to admit to having, let alone discuss. One percent of North Americans have IBD, yet its cause is unknown, and there is no known cure.

Fred Saibil, a renowned expert on IBD, provides concise, critical and practical information on the common symptoms and side effects. He describes the normal gastrointestinal system and then explains what specifically goes wrong in those suffering from IBD.