How can medical professionals take advantage of the valuable effects of opiates while minimizing their most common side effect-opioid bowel syndrome? This groundbreaking book will help physicians in their day-to-day practice and help researchers and educators prepare the next generation of clinicians to make more efficient use of opioids. The Handbook of Opioid Bowel Syndrome presents complete, authoritative, current information on the mechanisms of action of opioids and the management of opioid bowel dysfunction-the number one reason physicians avoid prescribing opioids. Most chapters include charts, tables, and/or illustrations that make complex information about this vexing problem easy to access and understand. All are well-referenced for further study.