About Adhesion Related Disorder ~ How can abdominal adhesions cause intestinal obstruction?

Abdominal Adhesions
On this page:

•What are abdominal adhesions?
•What causes abdominal adhesions?
•How can abdominal adhesions cause intestinal obstruction?
•How can abdominal adhesions cause female infertility?
•What are the symptoms of abdominal adhesions?
•What are the symptoms of an intestinal obstruction?
•How are abdominal adhesions and intestinal obstructions diagnosed?
•How are abdominal adhesions and intestinal obstructions treated?
•Can abdominal adhesions be prevented?
•Points to Remember
•Hope through Research
•For More Information

What are abdominal adhesions?
Abdominal adhesions are bands of tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs. Normally, internal tissues and organs have slippery surfaces, which allow them to shift easily as the body moves. Adhesions cause tissues and organs to stick together.


The intestines are part of the digestive system. Abdominal adhesions can cause an intestinal obstruction.

Although most adhesions cause no symptoms or problems, others cause chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. Adhesions are also a major cause of intestinal obstruction and female infertility.



What causes abdominal adhesions?
Abdominal surgery is the most frequent cause of abdominal adhesions. Almost everyone who undergoes abdominal surgery develops adhesions; however, the risk is greater after operations on the lower abdomen and pelvis, including bowel and gynecological surgeries. Adhesions can become larger and tighter as time passes, causing problems years after surgery.

Surgery-induced causes of abdominal adhesions include

•tissue incisions, especially those involving internal organs
•the handling of internal organs
•the drying out of internal organs and tissues
•contact of internal tissues with foreign materials, such as gauze, surgical gloves, and stitches
•blood or blood clots that were not rinsed out during surgery
A less common cause of abdominal adhesions is inflammation from sources not related to surgery, including

•appendicitis—in particular, appendix rupture
•radiation treatment for cancer
•gynecological infections
•abdominal infections
Rarely, abdominal adhesions form without apparent cause.



How can abdominal adhesions cause intestinal obstruction?
Abdominal adhesions can kink, twist, or pull the intestines out of place, causing an intestinal obstruction. An intestinal obstruction partially or completely restricts the movement of food or stool through the intestines. A complete intestinal obstruction is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention and often surgery.



How can abdominal adhesions cause female infertility?
Abdominal adhesions cause female infertility by preventing fertilized eggs from reaching the uterus, where fetal development takes place. Adhesions can kink, twist, or pull out of place the fallopian tubes, which carry eggs from the ovaries—where eggs are stored and released—to the uterus.



What are the symptoms of abdominal adhesions?
Although most abdominal adhesions go unnoticed, the most common symptom is chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. The pain often mimics that of other conditions, including appendicitis, endometriosis, and diverticulitis.



What are the symptoms of an intestinal obstruction?
Symptoms of an intestinal obstruction include

•severe abdominal pain or cramping
•vomiting
•bloating
•loud bowel sounds
•swelling of the abdomen
•inability to pass gas
•constipation
A person with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.


How are abdominal adhesions and intestinal obstructions diagnosed?
No tests are available to diagnose adhesions, and adhesions cannot be seen through imaging techniques such as x rays or ultrasound. Most adhesions are found during exploratory surgery. An intestinal obstruction, however, can be seen through abdominal x rays, barium contrast studies—also called a lower GI series—and computerized tomography.



How are abdominal adhesions and intestinal obstructions treated?
Treatment for abdominal adhesions is usually not necessary, as most do not cause problems. Surgery is currently the only way to break adhesions that cause pain, intestinal obstruction, or fertility problems. More surgery, however, carries the risk of additional adhesions and is avoided when possible.

A complete intestinal obstruction usually requires immediate surgery. A partial obstruction can sometimes be relieved with a liquid or low-residue diet. A low-residue diet is high in dairy products, low in fiber, and more easily broken down into smaller particles by the digestive system.



Can abdominal adhesions be prevented?
Abdominal adhesions are difficult to prevent; however, surgical technique can minimize adhesions.

Laparoscopic surgery avoids opening up the abdomen with a large incision. Instead, the abdomen is inflated with gas while special surgical tools and a video camera are threaded through a few, small abdominal incisions. Inflating the abdomen gives the surgeon room to operate.

If a large abdominal incision is required, a special filmlike material (Seprafilm) can be inserted between organs or between the organs and the abdominal incision at the end of surgery. The filmlike material, which looks similar to wax paper, is absorbed by the body in about a week.

Other steps during surgery to reduce adhesion formation include using starch- and latex-free gloves, handling tissues and organs gently, shortening surgery time, and not allowing tissues to dry out.



Points to Remember
•Abdominal adhesions are bands of tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs, causing tissues and organs to stick together.
•Although most adhesions cause no symptoms or problems, others cause chronic abdominal or pelvic pain, bowel obstruction, or female infertility.
•Abdominal surgery is the most frequent cause of abdominal adhesions.
•Abdominal adhesions can kink, twist, or pull the intestines out of place, causing an intestinal obstruction.
•A complete intestinal obstruction is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention and often surgery.
•Abdominal adhesions 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—also called a lower GI series—and computerized tomography.
•Surgery is currently the only way to break adhesions that cause pain, intestinal obstruction, or fertility problems.


Hope through Research
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducts and supports basic and clinical research into many digestive disorders.

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. For information about current studies, visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/.

The U.S. Government does not endorse or favor any specific commercial product or company. Trade, proprietary, or company names appearing in this document are used only because they are considered necessary in the context of the information provided. If a product is not mentioned, the omission does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.



For More Information
American College of Gastroenterology
P.O. Box 342260
Bethesda, MD 20827–2260
Phone: 301–263–9000
Fax: 301–263–9025
Email: info@acg.gi.org
Internet: www.acg.gi.org

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
P.O. Box 170864
Milwaukee, WI 53217–8076
Phone: 1–888–964–2001 or 414–964–1799
Fax: 414–964–7176
Email: iffgd@iffgd.org
Internet: www.iffgd.org

You may also find additional information about this topic by visiting MedlinePlus at www.medlineplus.gov.

This publication may contain information about medications. When prepared, this publication included the most current information available. For updates or for questions about any medications, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (1–888–463–6332) or visit www.fda.gov. Consult your doctor for more information.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/intestinaladhesions/

Breaking News! Adhesions easily visualised with simple Barium Swallow!

Breaking News!

Adhesions easily visualised with simple

 "NONE INVASIVE "

CONTRAST X-RAY BARIUM SWALLOW!

When taking the test, you drink a preparation containing Barium sulfate . The x-ray tracks the chalky like liquid as it makes it way through your digestive system, (inside the organs).....however it also showed what was on the OUTSIDE of the organs of the digestive track, (in the peritoneal cavity within the abdominal cavity!)

The "Contrast Barium Swallow" abdominal x-ray diagnostic  was never meant to show anything else, it showed ADHESIONS attaching internal organs in the lower digestive track to the peritoneum and to other organs.

It can also show the "mis-alignment" of intestines from being pulled out of the normal alignment by adhesion attachments!

This diagnostic can also detect bowel obstructions or bowel impactions---and all of this without so much as a surgeons knife!

 

MORE TO COME
on this magnificent discovery in the world of
ARD!

Maybe 2012 WILL be a year of good for

"Adhesion Related Disorder"
victims!

!!!! Visible Adhesions !!!!!

"MERRY CHRISTMAS"
"HAppy Holidays"
or rather
"THank-God"

!! DEMAND THIS DIAGNOSTIC !!

The "X-Ray Barium Swallow" diagnostic test is NOT used to detect adhesions, or any other "pathological anomalies," OUTSIDE of the organs of the digestive track! 

The "X-Ray Barium Swallow" is a diagnostic tool used to solely  detect "pathological anomalies, obstructions and/or diseases," WITHIN the organs of the digestive track!

You MUST insist that your attending physician order this diagnostic test if you have had a previous adhesiolysis, or many of them for that matter, and are currently experiencing abdominal/pelvic pain that YOU think is associated with adhesions, or ARD!

Have it ordered for "Pain," as you see listed below!

DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF

to be denied this diagnostic!

Barium Swallow IntroductionA barium swallow is a test that may be used to determine the cause of painful swallowing, difficulty with swallowing, abdominal pain, bloodstained vomit, or unexplained weight loss.

Barium sulfate is a metallic compound that shows up on x-ray and is used to help see abnormalities in the esophagus and stomach. When taking the test, you drink a preparation containing this solution. The x-rays track its path through your digestive system.

•These problems can be detected with a barium swallow: ◦Narrowing or irritation of the esophagus (the muscular tube between the back of the throat and the stomach)

◦Disorders of swallowing

◦Hiatal hernia (an internal defect that causes the stomach to slide partially into the chest)

◦Abnormally enlarged veins in the esophagus that cause bleeding

◦Ulcers

◦Tumors

◦Polyps (growths that are usually not cancerous, but could be precancerous)

Barium Swallow - Test Results

ALWAYS INSIST YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THE TEST , BUT MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU SECURE A VISUAL COPY OF THE FILMS OF THE X-RAY ITSELF AS IT IS IN THESE THAT YOU WILL SEE ADHESIONS IF THEY ARE VISIBLE!!!!

The "normal" pathology results your Dr. looks for and will jabber about are listed below here, just listen them out, then make sure you get a visual or the test for yourself! It is imperative that YOU look for your own results and IF adhesions can be seen in these films, you will recognize them!

Usual Test Results:
Ask your doctor for the results of your barium swallow test. You may have to wait a few days until the radiologist (a specialist in x-ray examinations) looks at the x-rays and gives your doctor the final results. Your doctor will recommend a plan of action to you based on the results.

•The x-rays will show the digestive wave (peristalsis) through the length of the esophagus. When barium reaches the end of the esophagus, the barium enters the stomach.
•The barium swallow may reveal problems in the pharynx (the back of the throat), the esophagus, or the stomach. The problems could be narrowing, tumors, polyps, ulcers (erosions), or disorders in moving food through the system. It can also show a hiatal hernia, diverticula (pouches opening along the esophagus), or varices (enlarged veins).

•If the barium swallow test shows any area of concern, your doctor may plan what other tests, procedures, treatments, or medications you may need. The treatment for problems discovered during a barium swallow vary depending on the condition.  http://www.emedicinehealth.com/barium_swallow/article_em.htm

 

A picture is worth a 1000 word...so see for yourselves!

In 2009 a known adhesion sufferer had a GI Barium Swallow for "Chronic Abdominal Pain."

This female suffered "Adhesion Related Disorder" and had undergone multiple surgeries in which abdominal adhesion's were present and lysed in each of her each surgeries.  Relief was always fleeting and the pain always returned after each surgery.

When this test was taken in 2009 she was told everything is fine and the test revealed nothing, and it was absolutely right, as long as he made his determination based on what the test was meant to show! She had NO abnormal internal organ pathology showing in this Barium Swallow!  The docs said she was just fine and sent her on her way.

She had Cat scans, MRI's every test in the book, you name it and the financial toll was enormous...... and all the doctors said she was fine. They could find nothing wrong and yet she suffered so.
A subsequent surgery was scheduled and records and imagery were sent to the new surgeon.

During pre op...reviews of all the tests...these images below caught the surgeon eye!
The surgeon palpitated each area where adhesions were being visualised on these simple

 "Contrast Barium Swallow X-Ray Films."
As an ARD patient advocate watched, knowing what was being seen on the screen in front of them showing what could only be "ADHESIONS," the Dr. asked the patient, "Does it hurt there? Does it hurt here?"

 Each time the ARD patient confirmed her pain was exactly where the surgeon indicated it might be in her abdomen. The surgeon then told his surgery team that he wanted these films up on a screen in the operating room during the procedure!
 

 You bet he did!

An IHRT patient advocate was scrubbed up and in the OR with the surgeon.....as you will see below, everywhere the wispy white tendrils appeared...is where he lysed adhesion! He used the images below as a guide to lysing the patients adhesions during the entire surgery. He confirmed this for us all!

After surgery, the patient, the surgeon and IHRT advocate were in somewhat of disbelief at what they had just witnessed, and they knew that these images had guided the way...the surgeon confirmed for us that indeed...this simple test reveled adhesions exquisitely!

We feel that this may finally be the end of expensive testing for adhesion patients....the statement that adhesions rarely if ever show up in any type of imaging is now a myth.
No more "Let's have a surgical look, see" to search for the always elusive adhesions.
Use these images to advocate for yourself. Ask for this simple non invasive, inexpensive test!!!!
It is not in your head....it is right there in black and white for all the world to see.
Removing personal information from these images has been difficult but this most generous adhesion sufferer has had that as her only request.
There are more images still to be placed in this posting and each image will be summarised  as to what you are looking at anatomically so please check back! Approx a dozen more images from the same series coming soon!

This news is so wonderful we wanted to get it to you as soon as possible!
We wish all who suffer from adhesions all the best this holiday season and we present you a gift from an anonymous adhesion sufferer.

A simple " Contrast Barium Swallow X-Ray!"

"MERRY CHRISTMAS"
"Happy Holidays"

Surgery done by Dr Pagels



We place his information here for your convenience but urge you to exercise due diligence when deciding which surgeon is right for you!


Dr. Pagels is now Chief of Gynecology at St.Josef Krankenhaus Moers. He was chief of Gynecology at Klinikum Duisburg, when this surgery was done.
This is his address: Herr Dr. Med. Jens Pagels
St. Josef Krankenhaus Moers
Asberger Str. 4
47441 Moers
Germany
Telephone Number: +49 (0) 2841 1072430
His email address is: gyn.pagels@st-josef-moer



This first image below ...what do you see in the one o'clock position?

Do YOU think you are correct!
( NO, that is not a fetus, it is a twisted bowel!)