PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE

SYMPTOMS—Lack of appetite, nausea, fever, chills, generalized aching, fast heartbeat, and occasionally vaginal bleeding. There is acute aching of both sides of the abdomen. Bowel movements may intensify the pain.

CAUSES—Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female pelvic organs, and occurs most often among sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 25.

Although abortions can result in sterility, pelvic inflammatory disease causes them even more frequently. A single attack of this disease produces sterility about 15% of the time.

It is believed that this disorder owes its origin to unsanitary conditions, especially during intercourse.

The use of intrauterine devices is another cause. The disorder was over four times higher in IUD users. They may not have been sterile or may have been inserted by hands that had not been carefully washed.

Douching is yet a third cause of this problem. It appears that they may not have been done carefully enough, and bacteria was flushed up into the uterus. In one study, 90% of the infected women regularly douched, and frequently had done so since the ages of 16 or 17.

TREATMENT—

• Go on a fruit and vegetable juice fast for a time.
• When solid food is started, eat nourishing food, free of sugar and oil. Avoid junk food. Do not use tobacco, caffeine, or alcohol.
• For pain relief, apply heat to the lower back or abdomen. Sitz baths are also helpful.
• A hot half bath is useful in fighting the infection.
• Every 4 hours, take a hot footbath while ice bags are on the lower abdomen for 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes rest in bed. This will speed the healing process.

ENCOURAGEMENT—A great name among men is as letters traced in sand, but a spotless character will endure to all eternity. God stands ready to help all willing to surrender their lives, so He can help them live a clean life.