Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is the inflammation of the upper genital tract. PID is a common disease among sexually active girls below the age of 25 years. Also, women who have unprotected sex, have multiple sex partners, douche regularly, or have a history of PID. PID is an infection that starts from the vagina and cervix and then ascends to the upper genital tract. PID affects upper genital organs which are the ovaries, fallopian tube, and uterus. Sexually transmitted bacteria cause PID. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea are the leading pathogens of PID since at least 50 per cent who test positive of either these two STIs have acute PID. Besides, vaginal microorganisms such as Haemophilic influenza, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Streptococcus agalactiae, and enteric gram-negative rods cause PID. PID is characterized by lower pains in the abdomen, abnormal uterine bleeding during intercourse and between menstrual cycle, fever, and cervical discharge. The physician should order for a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) to check for Chlamydia or Neisseria. Besides, pelvic ultrasound should be conducted. The physician also ordered for CA125 test, which is used to check for early signs of ovarian cancer.

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissues which consist of the blood vessel, connective tissues, and glands, anywhere other than the uterine cavity. Endometrial tissue usually should grow in the uterus to prepare the lining of the uterus for ovulation. Therefore, during menstruation, the endometrial tissue should be expelled, but since it is no longer located on the uterus, it becomes hard for it to be expelled. Thus, as the endometrial tissue build-up, lesion, they may block the fallopian tube causing severe pain in the pelvic. Besides, one is likely to have heavy menstruation periods which may last more than seven days, severe menstrual cramps, and irregular bleeding. To check for endometriosis, the physician may order for a pelvic exam where he might identify any lesions such as cysts. Also, an ultrasound can be done, which is likely to identify ovarian cysts.

The epididymis is a tube that is located behind the testicles. Testicles store and carry sperms. Thus, when the epididymis tube swells, one suffers from epididymitis. Often, the swelling on the epididymis is due to bacterial infection mainly from sexually transmitted diseases. Orchitis occurs when one or two of the testicles start to swell. Epididymitis is common among men aged below 35 years caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea. Men who engage in insertive anal intercourse are likely to suffer epididymitis due to Escherichia coli bacteria. The Escherichia coli gets to the epididymis by moving through the urethra, prostrate, then to the vas deferens and finally to the epididymis.

Epididymitis is characterized by red, swelled, and pain in the scrotal, pain during urination and sometimes blood may be observed, discharge from the urethra, fever, nausea, and lower abdominal pains. Risk factors for epididymitis include untreated bacterial STI, frequent urinary tract infections, unprotected sex, especially for persons who engage in anal intercourse, enlarged prostate which cause bladder obstruction, and compromised immunity. A physician may order for a urinary culture test to determine if there is urinary tract infection. Also, a urethral culture and a swab can be conducted. A urine test will be done to identify an STD. The best prevention of epididymis is having protected sex and having one partner.

One of the sexually transmitted disease I dread the most in human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV does scare me due to the effects that come with it. HPV can cause cancer of either cervical, annul, vaginal, penis, or back of the throat. Besides, one can also get genital warts. Genital warts are not pleasant to look at and can be traumatizing, which will, in turn, affect the overall mental health of an individual. Cancer is a deadly disease if not realized at an early stage. Besides, the body may be weak to fight away cancer. Therefore, it can be costly to treat both HPV and cancer. Besides, it can be painful to suffer from both diseases. Hence, HPV is quite scary for anyone to have.

The pituitary gland is a small gland that seats at the base of the skull, below the brain, and behind the nose. The pituitary gland consists of two parts the anterior and posterior pituitary gland. The anterior pituitary gland is not part of the brain but is connected to it by small blood vessels. Six hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. These hormones are the growth hormone, stimulating follicle hormone, prolactin, stimulating thyroid hormone, luteinizing hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Growth hormone (GH) enhances physical growth in a human. GH promotes growth by enabling cells to grow and divide muscle and bone development and to improve protein synthesis.  Growth hormone is highly secreted during childhood and puberty stages of growth. Prolactin hormone stimulates the production of milk in a woman after childbirth. During pregnancy, prolactin hormone enhances the development of mammary glands. Later, after birth, the hormone stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) do collaborate. Both hormones control the growth and regulation of the reproductive system. Most of the reproductive development in women and men occurs during puberty. The FCH simulate the production and development of sex cells. Sex cell in women are the ova and in men are the sperms. Besides, FCH promotes the growth of follicles which release estrogen in the ovaries. The LH also allows the production of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries and triggers ovulation. LH also promotes the production of testosterone. Adrenocorticotropic hormone controls the production of androgen and cortisol. Androgen is a synthetic hormone that controls and allows the development of male characteristics and reproductive activities in human. Cortisol hormone stimulates metabolism and the immune system in the body. Cortisol hormone is a stress hormone in the body.

The posterior pituitary does not engage in the production of hormones; instead, it acts as a storage of hormones produced by the hypothalamus and secretes them. It secretes the oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone. The oxytocin hormone plays a significant role during pregnancy and in the maternal stage of a woman. The oxytocin helps in the delivery of a baby after pregnancy, where it promotes the uterine contraction and the dilation of the cervix. Oxytocin also helps the milk to be released from the mammary glands. The antidiuretic hormones work hand in hand with the kidney. It alerts the kidney on how much water it can conserve and controls and balances the amount of water in the blood.

A child who has anterior pituitary failure is likely to cause stunted growth in a child due to the growth hormone. Besides, it can be hard to tell whether the male characteristics or not. The child may have fatigue and dry skin.

Thyroid cancer affects thyroid glands. At the early stages of thyroid cancer, it is difficult to get any symptoms. However, as the cancer progress to higher stages, one is likely to get a lump in the neck. A patient may also have a change in the voice or hoarseness while talking. Possible throat pain, difficulties while swallowing, and breathing. Swollen glands in the neck and a persistent cough that is not caused by a cold.

The best treatment of thyroid cancer is the thyroidectomy. Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure where all parts of the thyroid glands are removed. Thus, one is left with no thyroid glands to secrete hormones that regulate metabolism. Therefore, once the thyroidectomy is done, there is no significant treatment can be done on the gland since they are not available. Hence, physicians will give a patient painkillers to treat the pain.  Also, one is given calcium supplements to strengthen the bone muscles. Calcium supplements may be necessary in case the parathyroid glands are removed. Also, one need to take thyroid hormones to replace the function of the thyroid glands. Parathyroid hormones regulate the level of calcium in the blood level. Balanced calcium level in the body ensure that bones are strong; the nervous system and body muscles are effective in their functions. The parathyroid hormones are usually present in the bones and kidney. Since when the calcium level is low in the body, parathyroid hormones are released in the blood, causing bones to more calcium and in the bloodstream. Besides, it causes the kidney to stop and reduce calcium from being lost in the urine and increase vitamin D metabolism. Parathyroid hormones are a backup in case an individual diet has low calcium and Vitamin D, and the body requires them.

If during thyroidectomy the parathyroid glands are removed it means there will be no secretion of parathyroid hormones. Removal of parathyroid gland means the body will not manage to regulate the level of calcium in the body. Thus it is likely one will have weak bones. Also, the body will have no back up to vitamin D or less concentration of it. Therefore, one can be malnutrition or suffer from weak bones.