Perth, Western Australia (Old Edition) Home News Time Out Letters Write a Letter Special Coverage Walsham Classifieds Search Real Estate Trades & Services Submit About Contact Us Advertising Legal	Dr Levitt's book may be music to your rear Dr Michael Levitt with his book that gets to the bottom of many medical problems ... embarrasment discourages people from seeking help. Michael Levitt says despite all the bottom, fart and poo jokes, bowel and bottom problems are no laughing matter. He said: "The fundamental problem is that people are too embarrassed to talk about bottom and bowel problems. People ignore the problem or delay getting treatment. Talking about bowels is embarrassing enough, having to let someone look at and even examine the area in question is altogether more confronting." Dr Levitt, a specialist colorectal surgeon based at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco, has written "The Bowel Book" to help people with bowel or bottom problems. Dr Levitt said he had written the book as a self-diagnosis and self-reference text, in a frank and entertaining style. He said 80% of the people he saw would benefit from the information in the book. He said: "One day I saw four new patients in a row who all had the same problem - itchy bottom. I felt like a recording, giving them all the same simple advice." He said generally, bottom problems were not dangerous, but sometimes serious symptoms were not treated promptly enough. The book reveals that many common complaints, like haemorrhoids, perianal itch, and some forms of constipation, are best managed by reducing fibre intake. Other topics include herbal laxatives as opposed to the old-fashioned remedy of Epsom salts (Dr Levitt recommends the latter), the effects of childbirth, and the misuse of haemorrhoid creams. Dr Levitt said as well as being a self-help guide, the book would encourage people to talk more openly about bowels and not delay contacting doctors. The book, which costs $29.95, is available from Archive Books at 256 Stirling Highway, Claremont. BACK TO TOP < PREVIOUS - HOME - NEXT> Copyright © 1999 - 2006 Post Newspapers Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.