Book Review: Living with Crohn’s & Colitis- A Comprehensive Naturopathic Guide for Complete Digestive Wellness
Stacie Deyglio, ND
Living with Crohn’s & Colitis: A Comprehensive Naturopathic Guide for Complete Digestive Wellness
The emotional value of chronic disease is not typically a topic of study in medical school. It is a testament of reality within private practice, one that patients make very real for any practitioner of medicine. Living with Crohn’s & Colitis is a beautifully designed book built out of cohesive relationships between ND and patient. In this work, not only are the scientific details of these chronic diseases addressed, but also the underlying emotions a patient experiences are valued and brought to light.
The patient and coauthor, Dede Cummings, explains her experience with the development of Crohn disease in her life. Throughout the book, the reader travels with Dede on her healing journey where she meets Dr Jessica Black and naturopathic medicine. This trip is distilled throughout the chapters as highlighted breakouts entitled “Dede’s experience.” As the patient, Dede’s voice is reminiscent of fellow experiences of patients with Crohn disease and colitis, and both authors seek to share this experience as a way to support others who struggle with it as well: “[T]his book is my story, but it is also a way for Dr. Black and I to aid others who are either newly diagnosed with this lonely and debilitating disease or who have a loved one who is living with the disease. It is our hope that no matter what the challenge you face today, reading this book will provide you with hope and lead you to a brighter future” (p 6).
Invested within Dede’s story is the generous scientific core of the book. Subdivided into 3 parts, the book contains well-researched science that permeates the chapters. The citations instill the backbone of the established story with resonating testimony. For example, the scientific core encompassing part I addresses how a patient may understand inflammatory bowel disease: “[F]or many people like Dede with Crohn’s or UC [ulcerative colitis], proactively guarding one’s health and living can mean the difference between more time in the hospital and more time at home. In this book, you will find all the information you need to begin a thorough, effective plan for wellness that goes beyond drugs and surgeries” (p 18). Part II concentrates on living with irritable bowel disease. Part III focuses on recipes for wellness that may reduce inflammation through diet.
In gratitude, both authors should be honored for such a well-integrated compendium of rich scientific knowledge and personal empowerment. By honoring the role of disease, we can render more profound the way we treat the most important components, the patients and their unique stories.
Stacie Deyglio, ND received her baccalaureate degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the College of Mt. St. Vincent in New York. Her personal health issues paved the way to discovering naturopathic medicine in 1999. Resonating with the philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine, Dr Deyglio graduated from the University of Bridgeport, College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2003. As a medical student, she was involved in student government, fundraising and the generation of two successful student-run health fairs. Dr Deyglio’s interests include relating integrative therapeutics to the health of pediatric and geriatric populations. Currently residing in Phoenix, Dr Deyglio is an avid bookworm, and is actively creating her practice.
