Understanding Celiac Disease

September 15, 2014

Celiac disease is an immune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. Ali, a medical doctor who has written other "Understanding" titles for the publisher (Understanding Alzheimer's; Understanding Lung Cancer) has also appeared as a special guest on talk shows. This well-organized book provides an overview of the disorder including anatomy and causes followed by information on diagnosis and treatment. While Ali discusses options such as surgery and medication, he is a proponent of natural remedies for celiac disease. Written at a very high level, the work reads as though it were created for health-care providers, instead of, as the subtitle states, patients and caregivers. It is filled with medical terms and lacks needed anatomical illustrations as well as practical explanations, such as how to eat, shop, and dine out, for patients and parents of child sufferers. VERDICT Those who want a more technical description of celiac disease will find this book useful; readers looking for a basic overview and understanding of the condition and how to live with it may want to consider David L. Burns's 100 Questions & Answers About Celiac Disease and Sprue or Celiac Disease by Sylvia Llewelyn Bower, et al.--Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr. & Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Libs., Richmond

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.