Adhesions of the intestine (adhesions): symptoms, medications, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is intestinal adhesions (adhesions)?

Intestinal adhesions or adhesions are conditions when digestive tissue and muscles attach to the abdominal wall (stomach). Under normal conditions, the surface between the digestive organs is smooth and soft, so it doesn't cause the intestines to stick.

This condition, also called intestinal adhesions, results from injury to the tissue between organs. As a result, the intestines stick together. The reason is, the wound makes the tissue easier to stick to because the surface is very sticky.

That is why, sticky intestines often occur in patients who have recently undergone surgery. This digestive organ problem may occur between the digestive tract or the digestive system with the abdominal muscle tissue.

How common is this condition?

Intestinal adhesions are the most common condition following abdominal surgery. About 93% of patients who complete surgery for the stomach, pelvis, intestines, and uterus are also at risk for intestinal adhesions.

Even so, sticky intestines can also occur in people who have never had stomach surgery at all. However, the number of cases is only about 10 percent of the total cases.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of intestinal adhesions?

Most people who have sticky intestines don't experience any symptoms. However, the most common symptoms are prolonged stomach pain and conditions related to digestive problems, such as:

• nausea and vomiting,
• bloated,
• heard a loud sound from the stomach,
• swollen stomach,
• difficulty farting or difficulty removing gas from the stomach, and
• constipation or difficulty defecating.

There may be other symptoms not listed. If you have questions about the characteristics of intestinal adhesions, you should consult a doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you feel persistent stomach pain for no apparent reason, consult a doctor immediately to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Everyone's body is different, so always discuss with your doctor to find out the best diagnosis and treatment for you.

Causes and Risk Factors

What causes intestinal adhesions?

The main cause of sticky intestines is stomach surgery. In addition, there are several other types of procedures that cause intestinal adhesions, including:

• other organ surgery,
• drying of organs and tissues,
• organ tissue exposed to foreign bodies, such as a bandage or needle, and
• Ordinary or clogged blood is not washed out during the surgical procedure.

Not only surgery, there are a number of conditions that can trigger infection or inflammation of the inter-digestive tract, namely:

• a ruptured appendix,
• radiotherapy treatments for cancer,
• uterine, vaginal, and ovarian infections,
• stomach infection,
• the stomach wall sticks for no reason,
• Crohn's disease,
• diverticulitis,
• endometriosis, and
• peritonitis.

What factors increase my risk of getting this disease?

Having frequent abdominal surgery increases the risk of contamination of the abdominal wall. In addition, an imbalanced diet after surgery also makes you more prone to intestinal adhesions.

Diagnosis and Treatment

How to diagnose this condition?

Sticky intestines cannot be detected by just tests or ultrasound. Generally, it will ask you to undergo a number of additional examinations, such as:

• blood test,
• surgery or abdominal examination, and
• X-Ray, lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, or tomography.

What are the treatment options for intestinal adhesions?

Here are some ways to deal with intestinal adhesions.

Medication to relieve symptoms

For patients with less severe bowel adhesions, surgery or surgery is not the only option. You can avoid the operation for 12 to 24 hours.

Doctors will usually ask you not to drink water or any fluids for one day, especially if you have had surgery and are experiencing stomach cramps. This is done to control mild symptoms of intestinal adhesions.

In addition, another treatment is receiving fluids intravenously. In this case, a small, lengthening suction tube will be inserted into the nose and into the stomach.

The tube is used to prevent bloating and relieve pain and nausea.

Operation

If the adhesions of the intestine cause the intestines to suffocate, surgery or surgery for the stomach needs to be done immediately. This is so that the sticky intestine does not block blood flow to the intestine.

If symptoms are not too severe, surgery may be delayed for 12 to 24 hours so that you can receive intravenous fluids. This is so that you can avoid surgery as much as possible.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat intestinal adhesions?

After having stomach surgery, you may need to make lifestyle changes during the recovery process, such as:

• having a complete nutritional diet,
• following the advice of a post-operative doctor, and
• regularly consult a doctor.

Is there any way to prevent intestinal adhesions?

Intestinal adhesions cannot be prevented considering that previously performed abdominal surgery is certainly important for your health.

However, when surgeons perform abdominal surgery, there are several steps taken to reduce the risk of sticky intestines, namely:

• recommending laparoscopy whenever possible rather than open surgery,
• handle the network carefully so as not to be damaged,
• be alert when foreign objects enter the stomach, such as surgical gloves, and
• cover the damaged tissue in the stomach with a special layer.

If you have further questions, please contact your doctor to get the right solution.