Hemophilia is not one disease but rather one of a group of inherited bleeding disorders that cause abnormal or exaggerated bleeding and poor blood clotting. The term is most commonly used to refer to two specific conditions known as hemophilia A and hemophilia B, which will be the main subjects of this article. Hemophilia A and B are distinguished by the specific gene that is mutated (altered to become defective) and codes for a defective clotting factor (protein) in each disease. Rarely, hemophilia C is encountered, but its effect on clotting is far less pronounced than A or B.

Hemophilia A and B are inherited in an X-linked recessive genetic pattern and are therefore much more common in males. This pattern of inheritance means that a given gene on the X chromosome expresses itself only when there is no normal gene present. For example, a boy has only one X chromosome, so a boy with hemophilia has the defective gene on his sole X chromosome (and so is said to be hemizygous for hemophilia). Hemophilia is the most common X-linked genetic disease.

Although it is much rarer, a girl can have hemophilia, but she would have to have the defective gene on both of her X chromosomes or have one hemophilia gene plus a lost or defective copy of the second X chromosome that should be carrying the normal genes. If a girl has one copy of the defective gene on one of her X chromosomes and a normal second X chromosome, she does not have hemophilia but is said to be heterozygous for hemophilia (a carrier). Her male children have a 50% chance of inheriting the one mutated X gene and thus has a 50% chance of inheriting hemophilia from their carrier mother.

Hemophilia A occurs in about 1 out of every 5000 live male births. Hemoplilia A and B occurs in all racial groups. Hemophilia A is about four times more common than B; B occurs in about 1 out of 20- 34,000 live male births.

Hemophilia has been called the Royal Disease because Queen Victoria, Queen of England from 1837 to 1901, was a carrier. Her daughters passed the mutated gene on to members of the royal families of Germany, Spain, and Russia. Alexandra, Queen Victoria's granddaughter, who became Tsarina of Russia in the early 20th century when she married Tsar Nicholas II, was a carrier. Their son, the Tsarevich Alexei, suffered from hemophilia.

Hepatitis A is a virus, or infection, that causes liver disease and inflammation of the liver. Viruses can cause sickness. For example, the flu is caused by a virus. People can pass viruses to each other.

Inflammation is swelling that occurs when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can cause organs to not work properly.

An aneurysm is an abnormal area of localized widening of a blood vessel. The aorta bulges at the site of an aneurysm like a weak spot on a worn tire. Aortic aneurysms are typically spindle-shaped and involve the aorta below the arteries to the kidneys. The most common cause of an aneurysm is arteriosclerosis. Smoking is a major risk factor. Abdominal aortic aneurysms often do not cause symptoms. If they do, they may cause deep boring pain in the lower back or flank. Prominent abdominal pulsations may be present. X-rays of the abdomen and other radiologic tests including ultrasound, CT, and MRI may be used in diagnosing and monitoring the aneurysm. Rupture of an aortic aneurysm is a catastrophe. Repair of the aneurysm can be done by surgery or endovascular stenting.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that can cause lung disease in adults and liver disease in adults and children. The first signs and symptoms of lung disease caused by alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency usually appear between ages 20 and 50. The earliest symptoms are:
-- shortness of breath following mild activity,
-- reduced ability to exercise, and
-- wheezing.
Other signs and symptoms can include:
-- unintentional weight loss,
-- recurring respiratory infections,
-- fatigue,
-- rapid heartbeat upon standing, and
-- vision abnormalities.
Advanced lung disease leads to emphysema, in which small air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are damaged. Characteristic features of emphysema include:
-- difficulty breathing,
-- a hacking cough, and
-- a barrel-shaped chest.
Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke accelerates the appearance of symptoms and damage to the lungs. About 10 percent of infants and 15 percent of adults with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency have liver damage. Signs of liver disease can include:
-- a swollen abdomen,
-- swollen feet or legs, and
-- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
In rare cases, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency also causes a skin condition known as panniculitis, which is characterized by hardened skin with painful lumps or patches. Panniculitis varies in severity and can occur at any age.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that can cause lung disease in adults and liver disease in adults and children. The first signs and symptoms of lung disease caused by alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency usually appear between ages 20 and 50. The earliest symptoms are:
-- shortness of breath following mild activity,
-- reduced ability to exercise, and
-- wheezing.
Other signs and symptoms can include:
-- unintentional weight loss,
-- recurring respiratory infections,
-- fatigue,
-- rapid heartbeat upon standing, and
-- vision abnormalities.
Advanced lung disease leads to emphysema, in which small air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are damaged. Characteristic features of emphysema include:
-- difficulty breathing,
-- a hacking cough, and
-- a barrel-shaped chest.
Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke accelerates the appearance of symptoms and damage to the lungs. About 10 percent of infants and 15 percent of adults with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency have liver damage. Signs of liver disease can include:
-- a swollen abdomen,
-- swollen feet or legs, and
-- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
In rare cases, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency also causes a skin condition known as panniculitis, which is characterized by hardened skin with painful lumps or patches. Panniculitis varies in severity and can occur at any age.

Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs, causing them to stick together. Symptoms caused by abdominal adhesions vary; however, most adhesions do not cause symptoms. Typical symptoms caused by abdominal adhesions include abdominal discomfort around the belly button that is cramp-like followed by distention of the abdomen. Symptoms may become intense with obstruction. Abdominal surgery is the most frequent cause of abdominal adhesions. Other causes of abdominal adhesions include inflammation of an organ such as cholecystitis or appendicitis, peritonitis, foreign objects left inside the abdomen at the time of surgery, bleeding into the peritoneal cavity, or inflammatory conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease. At the sites of where abdominal adhesions occur, the intestine can twist on itself, and the twisting may obstruct the normal movement of its contents (particularly in the small intestine). Abdominal adhesions that cause a complete intestinal obstruction may be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention and often surgery. Abdominal adhesions can cause female infertility by preventing fertilized eggs from reaching the uterus, where fetal development takes place. No tests are available to diagnose adhesions, and adhesions cannot be seen through imaging techniques such as X-rays or ultrasound. An intestinal obstruction can be seen through abdominal X-rays, barium contrast studies (lower or upper GI series), and computerized tomography (CT). The treatment for abdominal adhesions is either laparoscopic surgery or open surgery whereby the adhesions are cut by scalpel or electric current.

An aneurysm is an abnormal area of localized widening of a blood vessel. The aorta bulges at the site of an aneurysm like a weak spot on a worn tire. Aortic aneurysms are typically spindle-shaped and involve the aorta below the arteries to the kidneys. The most common cause of an aneurysm is arteriosclerosis. Smoking is a major risk factor. Abdominal aortic aneurysms often do not cause symptoms. If they do, they may cause deep boring pain in the lower back or flank. Prominent abdominal pulsations may be present. X-rays of the abdomen and other radiologic tests including ultrasound, CT, and MRI may be used in diagnosing and monitoring the aneurysm. Rupture of an aortic aneurysm is a catastrophe. Repair of the aneurysm can be done by surgery or endovascular stenting.

What is an aneurysm?
An aneurysm is an area of a localized widening (dilation) of a blood vessel. The word "aneurysm" is borrowed from the Greek "aneurysma" meaning "a widening."

What is an aortic aneurysm?
An aortic aneurysm involves the aorta, the major artery that leaves the heart to supply blood to the body. An aortic aneurysm is a dilation or bulging of the aorta.

What is the thoracic and abdominal aorta?
The aorta is the large artery that exits the heart and delivers blood to the body. It begins at the aortic valve that separates the left ventricle of the heart from the aorta and prevents blood from leaking back into the heart after a contraction, when the heart pumps blood. The various sections of the aorta are named based upon “arch-like” initial design and the location in the body. Thus, the beginning of the aorta is referred to as the ascending aorta, followed by the arch of the aorta, then the descending aorta. The portion of the aorta that is located in the chest (thorax) is referred to as the thoracic aorta, while the abdominal aorta is located in the abdomen. The abdominal aorta extends from the diaphragm to the mid-abdomen where it splits into the iliac arteries that supply the legs with blood.

Heat cramps are intermittent, involuntary spasms of larger muscles that occur in an individual who is physically active in hot weather. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are collectively known as heat-related illness. Heat cramps are the least serious of the three, but still may be very painful and alarming. Heat cramps usually affect the major muscles that are being stressed in a hot environment. Individuals at risk for heat cramps include those who work, exercise, or are active in a hot environment. Individuals with impaired temperature control mechanisms, such as infants, young children, and the elderly, are also at a greater risk of heat cramps. Heat cramps are the earliest symptoms of a heat-related illness. Symptoms of heat cramps include profuse sweating with involuntary spasms of the large muscles in the body. Heat cramps also may be a symptom of heat exhaustion. The diagnosis of heat cramps is usually made by reviewing the patient history and identifying the muscle groups that are involuntarily in spasm. Treatment of heat cramps include rest, cooling the body, hydration, and stretching the muscles that are cramping. Heat cramps can be prevented by avoiding exercise or work during the heat of the day, drinking plenty of fluids, and resting in cool or shaded areas when possible. Heat cramps are the intermittent, involuntary spasm of muscles that occur in an individual who is physically active (for example, working or exercising) in hot or humid weather. They are often associated with dehydration. Heat cramps usually affect the major muscles that are being stressed in the hot environment. Most often these are the thigh and leg (quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius), the core muscles (abdominal wall and back) and the arm muscles (biceps, triceps). Heat cramps can also occur after the activity has been completed. For example, construction workers or roofers can develop cramps a few hours after their work shift is over.

A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or piece of tissue from its normally contained space. In the abdomen, a hernia usually involves a piece of bowel, or its lining (called omentum), protruding through a weak area in the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall is made up of layers of different muscles and tissues. Weak spots may develop in these layers to allow contents the abdominal cavity to protrude. The most common hernias are in the groin (inguinal hernias) and in the diaphragm (hiatal hernias). Hernias may be present at birth (congenital), or they may develop at any time thereafter (acquired).

What are the different types of abdominal hernias?

Hernias of the abdominal and pelvic floor
Inguinal hernias are the most common of the abdominal hernias. The inguinal canal is the opening that allows the spermatic cord and testicle to descend from within the abdomen where they develop in a fetus into the scrotum. After the testicle descends, the opening is supposed to close tightly but sometimes the muscles that attach to the pelvis leave a weak area. In women, therefore, inguinal hernias are less likely to occur because there is no need for a permanent opening in the inguinal canal.
A femoral hernia may occur through the opening in the floor of the abdomen where the femoral artery and vein pass through to the leg. Because of their wider bone structure, femoral hernias tend to occur more frequently in women.
Obturator hernias are the least common hernia of the pelvic floor. These are mostly found in women who have had multiple pregnancies or who have lost significant weight. The hernia occurs through the obturator canal, another connection of the abdominal cavity to the leg, and contains the obturator artery, vein, and nerve.

Hernias of the anterior abdominal wall
The abdominal wall is made up of muscles that mirror each other from right and left. These include the rectus abdominus as well as the internal obliques, the external obliques, and the transversalis. Diastasis recti is not a true hernia but rather a weakening of the membrane where the two rectus abdominus muscles from the right and left come together.
When epigastric hernias occur in infants, they occur because of a weakness in the midline of the abdominal wall where the two rectus muscles join together between the breastbone and belly button. Sometimes this weakness does not become evident until later in adult life as it becomes a bulge in the upper abdomen.
The belly button, or umbilicus, is where the umbilical cord attached the fetus to mother allowing blood circulation to the fetus. Umbilical hernias cause abnormal bulging in the belly button and are very common in newborns and often do not need treatment unless complications occur. Some umbilical hernias enlarge and may require repair. Spigelian hernias occur on the outside edges of the rectus abdominus muscle and are rare. Incisional hernias occur as a complication of abdominal surgery, where the abdominal muscles are cut to allow the surgeon to enter the abdominal cavity to operate. Although the muscle is usually repaired, it becomes a relative area of weakness, potentially allowing abdominal organs to herniate through the incision.

Hernias of the diaphragm
Hiatal hernias occur when part of the stomach slides through the opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus passes from the chest into the abdomen. A sliding hiatal hernia is the most common type and occurs when the lower esophagus and portions of the stomach slide through the diaphragm into the chest. Paraesophageal hernias occur when only the stomach herniates into the chest alongside the esophagus. This can lead to serious complications of obstruction or the stomach twisting upon itself (volvulus).
Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias may occur due to major injury where blunt trauma weakens or tears the diaphragm muscle allowing immediate or delayed herniation of abdominal organs into the chest cavity. This may also occur after penetrating trauma from a stab or gunshot wound.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are rare and are caused by failure of the diaphragm to completely form and close during fetal development. This can lead to failure of the lungs to fully develop and decreased lung function if abdominal organs migrate into the chest. The most common type is a Bochdalek hernia at the side edge of the diaphragm. Morgagni hernias are rare and are a failure of the front of the diaphragm.

Like adults, children can develop migraines. This can be the same type of condition seen in adults, which is typically occurs with a headache, and is sometimes preceded by an aura. Nausea, vomiting, and photophobia (decreased tolerance to light) can occur. Children also develop some unusual and atypical variations of migraine, not associated with headaches in particular, that are not usually observed in adults. Abdominal migraine is one of these variants.

Abdominal migraine is a condition thought to be related to migraine that is characterized by pain in the abdomen. It is often precipitated by the usual triggers of classic migraine. The pain can be severe, and nausea and vomiting can occur.

Abdominal migraine is rare in adults, but it has been estimated that up to 2% of all children may develop abdominal migraines. Children who have the condition usually go on to develop migraine headaches as adults. Girls are affected more frequently than boys. Abdominal migraine typically occurs for the first time between the ages of 2 and 10.

Like adults, children can develop migraines. This can be the same type of condition seen in adults, which is typically occurs with a headache, and is sometimes preceded by an aura. Nausea, vomiting, and photophobia (decreased tolerance to light) can occur. Children also develop some unusual and atypical variations of migraine, not associated with headaches in particular, that are not usually observed in adults. Abdominal migraine is one of these variants.

Abdominal migraine is a condition thought to be related to migraine that is characterized by pain in the abdomen. It is often precipitated by the usual triggers of classic migraine. The pain can be severe, and nausea and vomiting can occur.

Abdominal migraine is rare in adults, but it has been estimated that up to 2% of all children may develop abdominal migraines. Children who have the condition usually go on to develop migraine headaches as adults. Girls are affected more frequently than boys. Abdominal migraine typically occurs for the first time between the ages of 2 and 10.

Abdominal pain facts
- Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the part of the trunk below the ribs and above the pelvis.
- Abdominal pain comes from organs within the abdomen or organs adjacent to the abdomen.
Abdominal pain comes from organs within the abdomen or organs adjacent to the abdomen.
- Abdominal pain is caused by inflammation, distention of an organ, or by loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be caused by contraction of the intestinal muscles or hyper-sensitivity to normal intestinal activities.
- Symptoms associated with abdominal pain may include:
- -- Bloating
- -- Gas (flatus, farting)
- -- Indigestion
- -- Pain in the upper left or right; middle; or lower left or right abdomen
- -- Constipation
- -- GERD
- -- Heartburn
- -- Chest pain
The cause of abdominal pain is diagnosed on the basis of the characteristics of the pain, physical examination, and testing. Occasionally, surgery is necessary for diagnosis.
The diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain is challenging because the characteristics of the pain may be atypical, tests are not always abnormal, diseases causing pain may mimic each other, and the characteristics of the pain may change over time

Abdominal Pain Causes
Abdominal pain is a common symptom, and most people have experienced some sort of abdominal pain (belly or stomach pain). Causes of more serious causes of abdominal pain include:
- -- Bloody stools
- -- Black tarry stools
- -- Dehydration
- -- Painful urination
- -- Lack of urination
- -- Abrupt cessation of bowel movements
- -- Dehydration
What is abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is pain that is felt in the abdomen. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs and diaphragm above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side. Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity (such as the skin and abdominal wall muscles), the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity. Organs of the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas.
Technically, the lowermost portion of the area described previously, is the pelvis, which contains the urinary bladder and rectum, as well as the prostate gland in men, and the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries in women. Practically speaking, it often is difficult to know if lower abdominal pain is coming from the lower abdomen or pelvis.
Occasionally, pain may be felt in the abdomen even though it is arising from organs that are close to, but not within, the abdominal cavity. For example, conditions of the lower lungs, the kidneys, and the uterus or ovaries can cause abdominal pain. On the other hand, it also is possible for pain from organs within the abdomen to be felt outside of the abdomen. For example, the pain of pancreatic inflammation may be felt in the back. These latter types of pain are called "referred" pain because the pain does not originate in the location that it is felt. Rather, the cause of the pain is located away from where it is felt (i.e., it is referred to a different area).

Introduction to treating arrhythmias with ablation
Ablation is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias. The type of arrhythmia and the presence of other heart disease will determine whether ablation can be performed surgically or non-surgically.
Non-surgical ablation, used for many types of arrhythmias, is performed in a special lab called the electrophysiology (EP) laboratory. During this non-surgical procedure a catheter is inserted into a specific area of the heart. A special machine directs energy through the catheter to small areas of the heart muscle that causes the abnormal heart rhythm. This energy "disconnects" the pathway of the abnormal rhythm. It can also be used to disconnect the electrical pathway between the upper chambers (atria) and the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart.
Surgical ablation procedures used for treating atrial fibrillation can be "minimally invasive" or traditional "open" surgery and may be combined with other surgical therapies such as bypass surgery, valve repair, or valve replacement. Surgical ablation procedures include:
The Maze procedure. During this traditional open-heart surgical procedure, the surgeon makes small cuts in the heart to interrupt the conduction of abnormal impulses and to direct normal sinus impulses to travel to the atrioventricular node (AV node) as they normally should. When the heart heals, scar tissue forms and the abnormal electrical impulses are blocked from traveling through the heart.
Minimally invasive surgical ablation. Unlike traditional heart surgery, there is no large chest wall incision and the heart is not stopped. These techniques utilize smaller incisions and endoscopes (small, lighted instruments that contain a camera).
he modified Maze procedure. The surgeon uses a special catheter to deliver energy that creates controlled lesions on the heart and ultimately scar tissue. This scar tissue blocks the abnormal electrical impulses from being conducted through the heart and promotes the normal conduction of impulses through the proper pathway. One of four energy sources may be used to create the scars: radiofrequency, microwave, laser, or cryothermy (cold temperatures). The modified Maze procedure involves a single incision in the left atrium.

Endometrial ablation facts
- Endometrial ablation is the surgical destruction of the lining tissues of the uterus.
- Endometrial ablation is one type of treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding that is due to a benign (non-cancerous) condition.
- Endometrial ablation must not be performed if pregnancy is desired in the future.
- Laser beam, electricity, freezing, heating, and microwave energy are all successfully used methods for endometrial ablation. The choice of procedure depends upon a number of factors.
- Some women may experience regrowth of the endometrium and require further surgery.

What is endometrial ablation?
Endometrial ablation is the surgical destruction of the lining tissues of the uterus, known as the endometrium. Endometrial ablation is one type of treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding.

Why is endometrial ablation done?
Endometrial ablation is a treatment for abnormal bleeding of the uterus that is due to a benign (non-cancerous) condition. It is not a sufficient treatment when bleeding is caused by cancer of the uterus, since cancer cells may have grown into the deeper tissues of the uterus and can't often be removed by the procedure.
Endometrial ablation is only performed on a nonpregnant woman who does not plan to become pregnant in the future. It should not be performed if the woman has an active infection of the genital tract. This treatment is not a first-line therapy for heavy bleeding and should only be considered only when medical and hormonal therapies have not been sufficient to control the bleeding.

Endometrial ablation facts
-- Endometrial ablation is the surgical destruction of the lining tissues of the uterus.
-- Endometrial ablation is one type of treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding that is due to a benign (non-cancerous) condition.
-- Endometrial ablation must not be performed if pregnancy is desired in the future.
-- Laser beam, electricity, freezing, heating, and microwave energy are all successfully used methods for endometrial ablation. The choice of procedure depends upon a number of factors.
-- Some women may experience regrowth of the endometrium and require further surgery.

What is endometrial ablation?

Endometrial ablation is the surgical destruction of the lining tissues of the uterus, known as the endometrium. Endometrial ablation is one type of treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding.

Why is endometrial ablation done?

Endometrial ablation is a treatment for abnormal bleeding of the uterus that is due to a benign (non-cancerous) condition. It is not a sufficient treatment when bleeding is caused by cancer of the uterus, since cancer cells may have grown into the deeper tissues of the uterus and can't often be removed by the procedure.
Endometrial ablation is only performed on a nonpregnant woman who does not plan to become pregnant in the future. It should not be performed if the woman has an active infection of the genital tract. This treatment is not a first-line therapy for heavy bleeding and should only be considered only when medical and hormonal therapies have not been sufficient to control the bleeding.

Heart Rhythm Disorders (Abnormal Heart Rhythms)

How does the heart work?

The heart is a two-stage electric pump whose job it is to circulate blood through the body. The initial electrical impulse that begins the process of a heartbeat is generated by a group of cells located in the upper chamber of the heart, the atrium. These cells act as an automatic pacemaker, starting the electric signal that spreads along the "wiring" within the heart muscle, allowing a coordinated squeeze so that the pump can function.

The heart has four chambers. The upper chambers are the right and left atria (singular = atrium) while the lower chambers are the right and left ventricles. The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs while the left side pumps it to the rest of the body.

Blood from the body depleted of oxygen and containing carbon dioxide is collected in the right atrium and then pushed into the right ventricle with a small beat of the upper chamber of the heart. The right ventricle pumps the blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen and release the carbon dioxide. The oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium where the small atrial beat pushes it to the left ventricle. The left ventricle is much thicker than the right because it needs to be strong enough to send blood to the entire body.

There are special cells in the right atrium called the sinoatrial node (SA node) that generate the first electrical impulse, allowing the heart to beat in a coordinated way. The SA node is considered the "natural pacemaker" of the heart. This pacemaker function begins the electrical impulse which follows pathways in the atrial walls, almost like wiring, to a junction box between the atrium and ventricle called the atrioventricular node (AV node). This electric signal causes muscle cells in both atria to contract at once. At the AV node, the electric signal waits for a very short time, usually one- to two-tenths of a second, to allow blood pumped from the atria to fill up the ventricles. The signal then passes through electric bundles in the ventricle walls to allow these chambers to contract, again in a coordinated way, and pump blood to the lungs and body.

The SA node generates an electric beat about 60 to 80 times a minute, and each should result in a heartbeat. That beat can be felt as an external pulse. After a heartbeat, the muscle cells of the heart need a split second to get ready to beat again, and the electrical system allows a pause for this to happen.




The heart and its electrical activity work within a narrow range of normal. Fortunately, the body tends to protect the heart as best as it can. Rhythm disturbances may be normal physiologic responses, but some may be potentially life threatening.

Every cell in the heart can act as a pacemaker. A healthy SA node has an intrinsic heart beat generation rate of 60 to 80. If the atrium fails to generate a heartbeat, then a healthy AV node can do so at a rate of about 40, and if needed, the ventricles themselves can generate heartbeats at a rate of about 20 per minute. This may occur if the cells of the upper chamber fail to generate an electrical impulse or if the electrical signals to the ventricle are blocked. However, these lower rates may be associated with the inability of the heart to pump blood to the body to meet its needs and may result in shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, or passing out.

Endometrial ablation facts

Endometrial ablation facts

Endometrial ablation facts
Endometrial ablation is the surgical destruction of the lining tissues of the uterus. Endometrial ablation is one type of treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding that is due to a benign (non-cancerous) condition. Endometrial ablation must not be performed if pregnancy is desired in the future. Laser beam, electricity, freezing, heating, and microwave energy are all successfully used methods for endometrial ablation. The choice of procedure depends upon a number of factors. Some women may experience regrowth of the endometrium and require further surgery.

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Hemophilia facts

- Hemophilia is one of a group of inherited bleeding disorders that cause abnormal or exaggerated bleeding and poor blood clotting.

- Hemophilia A and B are inherited in an X-linked recessive genetic pattern, so males are commonly affected while females are usually carriers of the disease.

- Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency of clotting Factor VIII, while hemophilia B (also called Christmas disease) results from a deficiency of Factor IX.

- Hemophilia varies in its severity among affected individuals.

- Symptoms include excessive bleeding from any site in the body; long-term damage to joints from repeated bleeding episodes is characteristic.

- Treatment involves coagulation factor replacement therapy.

- The formation of inhibitors to the treatment factor concentrates is a significant complication of treatment.

- Gene therapy treatments are a source of active research and hold promise for the future.

What is postpartum depression? Are there different types of postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is the most common problem associated with childbirth. It has been described as afflicting prominent historical figures like author/suffragist Charlotte Perkins Gilman in the 19th century. This illness is characterized by depression that a woman experiences within four weeks of childbirth, affecting about 13% of women who give birth. Postpartum depression occurs after one out of every eight deliveries in the United States, affecting about half a million women every year. Postpartum depression is also called major depression with postpartum onset. Delusional thinking after childbirth, called postpartum psychosis, affects about one in every thousand women.

Notably, postpartum depression is not an illness that is exclusive to mothers. Fathers can experience it as well. In fact, it can affect as many as 10% of new fathers. As with women, symptoms in men can result in fathers having difficulty caring for themselves and for their children when suffering from postpartum depression.

Unfortunately, up to 50% of individuals with postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis are never detected. That can result in devastating outcomes for the patient and family. For example, postpartum psychosis is thought to have been a potential factor in Andrea Yates drowning her five children in 2001 and was explored as a factor in Susan Smith drowning her two sons.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignancy (abnormal cells) arising in the mammary glands. It affects both men and women, although it is far more common in women. Each year, over 230,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 40,000 women die from the disease every year. Male breast cancer accounts for about 1% of all breast cancers. This article focuses on breast cancer in women.

Notably, postpartum depression is not an illness that is exclusive to mothers. Fathers can experience it as well. In fact, it can affect as many as 10% of new fathers. As with women, symptoms in men can result in fathers having difficulty caring for themselves and for their children when suffering from postpartum depression.

Unfortunately, up to 50% of individuals with postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis are never detected. That can result in devastating outcomes for the patient and family. For example, postpartum psychosis is thought to have been a potential factor in Andrea Yates drowning her five children in 2001 and was explored as a factor in Susan Smith drowning her two sons.

Hemophilia facts

- Hemophilia is one of a group of inherited bleeding disorders that cause abnormal or exaggerated bleeding and poor blood clotting.

- Hemophilia A and B are inherited in an X-linked recessive genetic pattern, so males are commonly affected while females are usually carriers of the disease.

- Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency of clotting Factor VIII, while hemophilia B (also called Christmas disease) results from a deficiency of Factor IX.

- Hemophilia varies in its severity among affected individuals.

- Symptoms include excessive bleeding from any site in the body; long-term damage to joints from repeated bleeding episodes is characteristic.

- Treatment involves coagulation factor replacement therapy.

- The formation of inhibitors to the treatment factor concentrates is a significant complication of treatment.

- Gene therapy treatments are a source of active research and hold promise for the future.

Hemophilia facts

- Hemophilia is one of a group of inherited bleeding disorders that cause abnormal or exaggerated bleeding and poor blood clotting.

- Hemophilia A and B are inherited in an X-linked recessive genetic pattern, so males are commonly affected while females are usually carriers of the disease.

- Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency of clotting Factor VIII, while hemophilia B (also called Christmas disease) results from a deficiency of Factor IX.

- Hemophilia varies in its severity among affected individuals.

- Symptoms include excessive bleeding from any site in the body; long-term damage to joints from repeated bleeding episodes is characteristic.

- Treatment involves coagulation factor replacement therapy.

- The formation of inhibitors to the treatment factor concentrates is a significant complication of treatment.

- Gene therapy treatments are a source of active research and hold promise for the future.

Hemophilia facts

- Hemophilia is one of a group of inherited bleeding disorders that cause abnormal or exaggerated bleeding and poor blood clotting.

- Hemophilia A and B are inherited in an X-linked recessive genetic pattern, so males are commonly affected while females are usually carriers of the disease.

- Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency of clotting Factor VIII, while hemophilia B (also called Christmas disease) results from a deficiency of Factor IX.

- Hemophilia varies in its severity among affected individuals.

- Symptoms include excessive bleeding from any site in the body; long-term damage to joints from repeated bleeding episodes is characteristic.

- Treatment involves coagulation factor replacement therapy.

- The formation of inhibitors to the treatment factor concentrates is a significant complication of treatment.

- Gene therapy treatments are a source of active research and hold promise for the future.

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal

Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon by the bacterium, Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile ).

C. difficile causes colitis by producing toxins that damage the lining of the colon.

The symptoms of C. difficile colitis are fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Serious complications of C. difficile colitis include dehydration, rupture of the colon, and spread of infection to the abdominal cavity or body. Severe infection is life-threatening.

The most common cause of C. difficle colitis is treatment with antibiotics. The antibiotics are believed to suppress normal colonic bacteria that usually keep C. difficile from multiplying and causing colitis.

Most cases of C. difficile colitis occur in patients in the hospital, but the number of cases that occur among individuals not having been in or recently discharged from the hospital has increased greatly.

The primary means of diagnosing C.difficile colitis is by testing for the bacterial toxins in samples of stool.

The treatment of C. difficile colitis is with antibiotics, primarily vancomycin and metronidazole. Up to 10% of patients do not respond to a course of one of the antibiotics and require retreatment, more prolonged treatment or treatment with a different antibiotic. Ten to 20 percent of patients who are successfully treated by their first course of antibiotics have a relapse of the colitis after the antibiotics are stopped.

Among patients who relapse, additional treatment with antibiotics is less successful than the initial treatment in permanently curing the colitis, and multiple relapses in these patients are common.

Among the treatments for multiple relapses of C. difficile colitis, a widely studied and effective treatment is transplantation of fecal