GENERAL ORGANISATIONS AND WEBSITES WITH INFORMATION ON IBS
Go Ask Alice!
Website: www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
A question and answer Internet service produced by Alice!, Columbia University’s Health Promotion Program — a division of Health Services at Columbia. ‘Alice!’ answers questions about relationships, sexuality, sexual health, emotional health, fitness, nutrition, alcohol, nicotine and other drugs, and general health.
HealingWell
Website: www.healingwell.com
A large site concentrating on natural remedies for chronic conditions including IBS.
Medicine Net
Website: www.medicinenet.com
An American general medical site.
Patient.co.uk
Website: www.patient.co.uk
A searchable UK medical site, with information on most medical conditions and multiple links.
Prodigy
Sowerby Centre for Health Informatics at Newcastle (SCHIN Ltd)
Bede House, All Saints Business Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2ES
Tel: 0191 243 6100
E-mail: prodigy-enquiries@schin.co.uk
Website: www.prodigy.nhs.uk
Useful leaflets on a wide range of conditions.
UpToDate Website:
Website: http://patients.uptodate.com
The patient information part of this website is free and contains authoritative detailed articles on most medical conditions.
Wikipedia Website:
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org
A free on-line general encyclopaedia.
Wrong diagnosis
Website: www.wrongdiagnosis.com
An interesting site that allows you to search for information on specific diseases or symptoms. There is an emphasis on misdiagnosis and how errors occur, with lists of alternative diagnoses. Although a lot of information is provided, it will understandably be not quite enough for a lay person to distinguish one condition from another.
GASTROENTEROLOGY ORGANISATIONS AND SITES
American Gastroenterological Association
Email: member@gastro.org
Website: www.gastro.org
The ‘Patient Center’ link has numerous articles on most aspects of gastroenterological and liver diseases.
Celiac Sprue Association of the United States of America
Website: www.csaceliacs.org
The Celiac Sprue Association is a member-based, non-profit support organisation dedicated to helping individuals with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis and their families worldwide through information, education and research.
Celiac Disease Foundation
Website: www.celiac.org
The Celiac Disease Foundation provides support, information and assistance to people affected by coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis. It increases awareness among the general public and works closely with healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical and medical industries.
Coeliac UK
Suites A–D, Octagon Court, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2HS
Tel: 01949 437 278
Helpline: 0870 444 8804
Website: www.coeliac.co.uk
Coeliac UK aims to improve the lives of people living with the condition through support, campaigning and research so that the needs of people with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis are universally recognised and met. The society also provides a free dietetic and food helpline for people struggling with diagnosis and management of their condition. In addition, they can provide helpful leaflets and books, and run voluntary groups around the UK.
IBSPage.com – The IBS Page
Website: www.ibspage.com
A large list of websites on irritable bowel syndrome.
US Department of Agriculture, Nutrient Data Laboratory
Website: www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl and www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata
A searchable and downloadable free database of the nutrient data for a huge list of foods.
Yorktest Laboratories Ltd
G3, York Science Park, York YO19 5DQ
Tel: 01904 410410
Website: www.yorktest.com
A commercial site that sends out blood-based allergy testing kits. Blood from a finger prick is returned to the laboratory, which provides a report.
CORE
3 St Andrews Place, London, NW1 4LB
Tel: 020 7486 0341
Email: info@corecharity.org.uk
Website: www.corecharity.org.uk
CORE is the working name of the Digestive Disorders Foundation. The website provides patient information leaflets on a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, and a glossary of medical terms related to gastroenterology.
IBS SPECIFIC ORGANISATIONS
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Email: iffgd@iffgd.org
Website: www.iffgd.org/index.html
The IFFGD, founded in 1991, is a registered non-profit-making educational and research organisation. It addresses the issues surrounding life with gastrointestinal functional and motility disorders and increases awareness about these disorders among the general public, researchers, regulators and the clinical care community. It has a large and authoritative website with numerous detailed articles on IBS and other functional diseases. .
IBS Group
Email: ibs@ibsgroup.org
Website: www.ibsgroup.org
This is an American self-help and support group site. It gives access to up-to-date information, including videos, as well as chat groups and weblinks.
IBS Network
Unit 5, 53 Mowbray Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S3 8EN
(All written enquiries must be accompanied by an SAE)
Tel: 0114 272 3253
Helpline: 0114 272 3253 (Mon–Fri 6–8 pm, Sat 10–12 am; calls answered by IBS specialist nurses)
Email: info@ibsnetwork.org.uk
Website: www.ibsnetwork.org.uk
The IBS Network is a UK national charity offering advice, information and support. It has a large informative website now including the IBS Network Self Management Programme. This consists of 11 modules, adaptable for individual study on your computer, dealing with every aspect of IBS. These are very readable and full of useful suggestions and links.
IBS Research Update
Website: www.ibs-research-update.org.uk
This is the website of the IBS Research Appeal, a charitable research programme run by medical practitioners who treat sufferers of IBS on a daily basis at their clinic at the Central Middlesex Hospital, London NW10.
Rome Criteria
Website: www.romecriteria.org
This is the official website of the Rome criteria for IBS. It contains links to the 2006 issue of the journal Gastroenterology summarising the research from which the criteria and definitions of IBS were devised.
IBS Tales
Website: www.ibstales.com
Read the personal stories of IBS sufferers and share your own experiences. A fascinating and moving site for anyone with IBS, their relatives and doctors.
Bowel Control
Website: www.bowelcontrol.org.uk
A site based at St Mark’s Hospital, London, giving clear and concise explanations and advice for people with faecal incontinence.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment
Website: www.irritable-bowel-syndrome
Easily accessible tips and suggestions.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
British Psychological Society
St Andrews House. 48 Princess Road East. Leicester, East Midlands, LE1 7DR
Tel: 0116 254 9568
Email: enquiry@bps.org.uk
Website: www.bps.org.uk/home-page.cfm
This gives information on properly qualified clinical psychologists who practise cognitive behavioural therapy.
London Clinic of Psychoanalysis
Byron House, 112A Shirland Road, London, W9 2EQ
Tel: 020 7563 5002
Email: clinic@iopa.org.uk
Website: www.psychoanalysis.org.uk/clinic.htm
For psychoanalytic therapy.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY
British Medical Acupuncture Society
BMAS House, 3 Winnington Court, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 1AQ
Tel: 01606 786782
Email: admin@medical-acupuncture.org.uk
Website: www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk
The BMAS was formed in 1980 as an association of medical practitioners interested in acupuncture. There are now over 2300 members who use acupuncture in hospital or general practice. The society promotes the use of acupuncture as a therapy following orthodox medical diagnosis by suitably trained practitioners. It encourages the use and scientific understanding of acupuncture within medicine and seeks to enhance the education and training of suitably qualified practitioners, and to promote high standards of working practice in acupuncture.
British Society of Clinical Hypnosis
125 Queensgate, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, YO16 7JQ
Tel: 01262 403103
Email: sec@bsch.org.uk
Website: www.bsch.org.uk
A body whose aim is to promote and assure high standards in the profession of hypnotherapy. From the website, you can search for a hypnotist in your area, learn about the code of conduct expected from members of the society and learn more about hypnotherapy in practice.
National Register of Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists
Suite B, 12 Cross Street, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7EN
Tel: 01282 716839
Email: nrhp@btconnect.com
Website: www.nrhp.co.uk
The NRHP is a leading, non-profitmaking register of qualified hypnopsychotherapists. The site contains information to help you decide whether you need the services of one of the society’s members. It also holds a database of hypnotherapists throughout the country and provides a free referral service for those seeking a reputable practitioner.
The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health
33–41 Dallington Street, London, EC1V 0BB
Tel: 020 3119 3100 Fax: 020 3119 3101
Email: info@fih.org.uk
Website: www.fih.org.uk
The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health is dedicated to helping people, practitioners and communities to create an integrated approach to health and well-being. The site includes a 55-page guide for patients seeking complementary health care.
The UK Register of IBS Therapists
Website: www.ibs-register.co.uk
A listing of UK hypnotherapists specialising in treating IBS with hypnotherapy.
SELECTED IBS BOOKS
IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Answers at your Fingertips – by Dr Udi Shmueli. Based on his long experience as a consultant gastroenterologist. Dr Shmueli provides detailed guidance on all aspects of the condition, answering over 430 questions from people with IBS. Available from www.class.co.uk.
IBS: A Complete Guide to Relief from Irritable Bowel Syndrome – by Christine P. Dancey and Susan Backhouse, published by Constable & Robinson, London (2003).
The Sufferers’ Guide to Coping with IBS – published by the IBS Appeal with medical notes by Dr DBA Silk, available from www.ibs-research-update.org.uk. Practical advice on living with irritable bowel syndrome, including foods that help and hinder in the experience of sufferers.
IBS: Take Control – by Christine P. Dancey, Claire L. Rutter, Bernard Atherton and Steve Chadburn, published by Constable and Robinson, London (1997). A book that approaches IBS from a psychological viewpoint aiming to increase people’s insight into their condition and enhance their coping skills.
Fast Facts: Irritable Bowel Syndrome – by Kenneth W. Heaton and W. Grant Thompson, published by Health Press, Oxford (2003). Although aimed at doctors, this small paperback gives a well-written account of the key facts and concepts of IBS.
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