subject: Symptoms Of Abdominal Adhesions [print this page] Abdominal adhesions: Adhesions (scar tissue) are fibrous bands of protein that develop naturally after tissue in the body has been damaged by surgery, injury, or infection. Sometimes adhesions form between organs or between organs and tissue, causing these body parts to stick together and restricting their natural movement. Most adhesions are painless and cause no problems. But sometimes adhesions in the abdomen or pelvic area cause mild to severe chronic pain.
Causes: Inflammation or disease of any of the abdominal organsstomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladdercan result in abdominal adhesions. But, by far, the most common cause of abdominal adhesions is a side effect of surgery. About 90% of people who undergo abdominal or pelvic surgery develop abdominal adhesions. The adhesions form within days of the surgery, but symptoms (if any) may not appear for months or even years.
Symptoms: Often, the abdominal adhesions themselves present no symptoms. But chronic abdominal or pelvic pain is a sign that the adhesions could be causing some complication. Abdominal adhesions cause pain by pulling on nerves within an organ or on tissue bound by the adhesion, so the pain is in the organ or tissue, not the adhesion.
Complications: Female infertility is one complication of abdominal adhesions. Adhesions can distort the fallopian tubes, blocking the fertilized eggs passage to the uterus, where the fetus develops. Bowel obstruction is the most serious complication of abdominal adhesions. Adhesions can twist or pull the small or large intestine out of place, blocking the normal movement of food and waste material through the body. Symptoms of bowel obstruction include severe abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting. A complete blockage is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
Diagnosis: Abdominal adhesions cannot be detected through physical exams or imaging such as ultrasound. Doctors usually make their diagnosis from patient histories and symptoms. Abdominal adhesions that cause bowel obstruction, however, are easily seen through CT scans.
Treatment: Treatment for abdominal adhesions depends on the cause, the symptoms, and the location. Often, all doctors can do is treat symptoms, for example, with pain relievers. There are surgeries to remove abdominal adhesions, but surgery usually leads to new adhesions that might cause problems. Bowel obstruction caused by abdominal adhesions, nevertheless, calls for immediate surgery. One of the most effective treatments for abdominal adhesions is a physical therapy procedure called the Wurn Technique. This hands-on approach, similar to massage, helps to break down and rid the body of abdominal adhesions.
