Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a woman's reproductive organs. See a picture of the organs inside the pelvis . Treating PID right away is important, because PID can cause scar tissue in the pelvic organs and lead to infertility. It can also lead to other problems, such as pelvic pain and tubal (ectopic) pregnancy.

Cervical cancer is preventable, treatable and curable if detected in its earliest stages. Cervical cancer is also generally a very slow growing cancer. Prevention, detection and treatment are essential.

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to the condition that results when cells involved in inflammation and immune response are called into the lining of the GI tract. This infiltration thickens the bowel lining and interferes with absorption and motility (the ability of the bowel to contract and move food). With abnormal ability to contract and abnormal ability to absorb, the bowel's function is disrupted.

The first step in pursuing any chronic problem is a "metabolic database." This means a basic blood panel and urinalysis to rule out more biochemically widespread problems (such as liver disease or kidney disease) which could be responsible for the signs.

Unfortunately, the causes of inflammatory bowel disease are not well understood. Usually, a cause is not found. The basic theory is that "something" is leading to a chronic stimulus of inflammation. This could be an allergy against a food protein, the continuing presence of a parasite, inflammatory products produced by the normal bacteria living in the intestine or there may be an underlying problem with the immune system in affected individuals.

The cornerstone of treatment for inflammatory bowel disease is suppression of the inflammation. In milder cases of large intestinal inflammatory bowel disease, the immunomodulating properties of metronidazole (Flagyl) might be adequate for control but usually prednisone is needed. Prednisone will work on inflammatory bowel disease in any area of the intestinal tract. In more severe cases, stronger immune suppression is needed (as with cyclosporine or azathioprine).

IBD and gastrointestinal disorders have been diagnosed in cats and dogs. If you would like more information, there are a couple of articles at the "Official Site of Veterinary Medicine in Canada".

A little vomiting or diarrhea here and there seems to be pretty standard for pet dogs and cats. After all, cats groom themselves and get hairballs. Dogs eat all sorts of ridiculous things they aren't supposed to. Still, many owners notice that their pets seem to have vomiting or diarrhea a bit more often than it seems they should.

The first step in dietary management of inflammatory bowel disease is fat restriction. Fat prolongs the time food spends in the stomach which tends to promote nausea. There can also be undesirable interactions with fats and the bacteria of the intestine. The second step in using diet as therapy for this condition is to use a protein source with which the patient is inexperienced. Such a novel diet is considered "hypoallergenic" and removes any immunological stimulation by dietary properties.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of two diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These chronic illnesses can inflame the gastrointestinal tract, causing bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Ulcerative colitis can affect the entire large intestine or the rectum. Crohn's disease mainly affects short segments of both the small and large intestine.

Can inflammatory bowel disease cause colon cancer? The short answer is yes. People who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for colon cancer because the tissue of the colon is inflamed for a long period of time. Women with a personal (or family) history of uterine cancer may have a greater risk of developing colon cancer. If the uterine cancer was caused by a particular genetic mutation, women are considered at high risk for colon cancer.

IBS is a common intestinal disorder that causes cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation. In fact, approximately 25 percent of people living in the United States have reported IBS symptoms. Only the common cold causes more people to miss work than IBS. While both IBD and IBS share some symptoms (such as cramping and diarrhea), IBS is a temporary dysfunction, not a disease, while both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic and extremely serious.

The pelvic floor is a "sling" of muscles which support the abdominal organs, including the uterus, urinary bladder the urethra, and the rectum. It normally tightens to help control the release of urine from the bladder, but can become weakened through childbirth or obesity, or become thinner through lowering of estrogen levels after menopause. This weakening is often associated with stress incontinence.