Adhesions of the intestine (intestinal adhesions): medications, symptoms, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition of intestinal adhesions (intestinal adhesions)

Intestinal adhesions (intestinal adhesions) are a condition 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 it easier for the tissue to stick to it because the surface is very sticky.

That is why, sticky intestines are common in patients who have recently undergone surgery. This digestive disorder may occur in the inter-digestive tract or digestive system with abdominal muscle tissue.

How common is this intestinal sticky condition?

This disease most often appears after undergoing 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 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, as well
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 to see a doctor?

If you feel persistent abdominal 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 bandages or needles, as well
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, as well
peritonitis.

What factors increase the risk of developing this disease?

Too often undergoing abdominal surgery increases the risk of contamination of the abdominal wall. In addition, an unbalanced diet after surgery also makes you more susceptible to this disease.

Diagnosis and treatment of intestinal adhesions

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 12-24 hours.

Your doctor will usually ask you not to drink any water or fluids for a day, especially if you have had surgery and have 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 this disease causes the intestines to suffocate, surgery or abdominal surgery should 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 12-24 hours so that you can receive intravenous fluids. This is so that you can avoid surgery as much as possible.