Overview

The purpose of this book was to present the integrative, basic and clinical approaches based on recent developments in the field of gastroenterology. The most important advances in the pathophysiology and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders are discussed including; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel disease (IBD), NSAIDs-induced gastroenteropathy and pancreatitis. Special focus was addressed to microbial aspects in the gut including recent achievements in the understanding of function of probiotic bacteria, their interaction with gastrointestinal epithelium and usefulness in the treatment of human disorders. We hope that this book will provide relevant new information useful to clinicians and basic scientists as well as to medical students, all looking for new advancements in the field of gastroenterology.