Abdominal Adhesions: What to Look Out For

Abdominal Adhesions: What to Look Out For

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Abdominal adhesions are a condition that often results from inflammation, injury, or previous abdominal surgery when a larger incision is made to open up the abdomen. Abdominal adhesions can be dangerous, depending on their location and degree of severity.

Abdominal adhesions can cause intestinal obstruction by obstructing the regular passage of food, liquid, and gas through the digestive tract. In addition, it can also cause indigestion, inflame and infect the abdomen, harm the organs in the abdomen and pelvis structurally, and, in extreme cases, block blood vessels to the point of death.

 

Abdominal adhesion warning signs to look out for

Abdominal adhesions usually do not cause symptoms, but occasionally, they can result in life-threatening intestinal obstruction and other serious issues. It is critical to recognize the warning signs of abdominal adhesions and to know what to do if symptoms appear.

 

The following are some indications and manifestations of abdominal adhesions:

Severe abdominal pain

One of the signs of abdominal adhesions is cramping or pain in the abdomen. This condition is usually localized to the affected area and presents as pressure, stretching, or sharp pain. It can cause mild to severe discomfort.

The pain might come on gradually or show up all of a sudden.

Bloating

Abdominal adhesions cause gas to become trapped in the digestive tract, giving the abdomen a bloated, distended, and full feeling. In addition to bloating, other possible symptoms include pressure, burning, and obvious abdominal swelling.

Nausea and vomiting

Another symptom of abdominal adhesions is nausea and vomiting. Scar tissue may obstruct the normal passage of food, liquid, and gas through the intestines, resulting in intestinal disruption and these symptoms.

Nausea and vomiting that occur as symptoms of abdominal adhesions are often signs that you need immediate medical attention. You have to go to a hospital for emergency medical attention in order to be assessed and given the care that you need.

Indigestion

Abdominal adhesions can also cause indigestion, including constipation and diarrhea. The disruption of the movement of food and fluids through the digestive tract leads to diarrhea characterized by frequent, watery bowel movements and sometimes accompanied by abdominal cramps.

On the other hand, the formation of scar tissue within the abdomen can obstruct normal intestinal activity and make it more difficult to pass gas and stool. This leads to accumulation and increases the difficulty of passing the stool, resulting in constipation.

 

What should I do when experiencing signs of abdominal adhesions?

Abdominal adhesion symptoms may indicate a more serious medical condition. See a doctor right away or contact the closest emergency room, especially if you have severe stomach pain, vomiting, drastic changes in your bowel habits, or other concerning symptoms of indigestion.

In most cases, a physical examination and a battery of tests, including endoscopies, CT scans, ultrasounds, and blood tests, are required. Once your doctor has determined the cause and severity of your symptoms, they will make recommendations for treatment and care.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

 

 

Looking for more information about other diseases? Click here!

 

 

Writer : Agatha Writer
Editor :
  • Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
Last Updated : Wednesday, 24 April 2024 | 08:47

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (2019). Abdominal Adhesions. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/abdominal-adhesions 

Cleveland Clinic (2024). Abdominal Adhesions. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15254-abdominal-adhesions 

Health Direct (2023). Digestive system. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/digestive-system 

John Hopkins Medicine. Understanding an Intestinal Obstruction. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/understanding-an-intestinal-obstruction