Adhesions can be treated either with open or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, known as adhesiolysis. The adhesions are cut by scalpel or electrical current.
If abdominal adhesions cause symptoms or complications, doctors can release the adhesions with laparoscopic or open surgery. However, surgery to treat adhesions may cause new adhesions to form. If you have abdominal adhesions, talk with your doctor about the possible benefits and risks of surgery.
Adhesions occur when there's injury or inflammation in your abdomen. They can even form from normal handling during surgery. In fact, they're most common after abdominal surgery. As a natural part of healing, scar tissue forms that can cause tissues to stiffen and stick together (“adhere”).
If pain is a symptom, then over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen is usually recommended initially but if these do not help then the patient should see a doctor who can recommend other treatments and consider referral to a pain specialist.
Massage is a way of softening and flattening scars and reducing the adhesions between the different layers of the tissue, making the scar tissue more flexible. It can also help alleviate any itching and over-sensitivity of the scar.
Fascia adhesions tend to feel better with movement and also respond well to heat therapy, which helps bring back the tissue's elasticity. For some people, adhesions can worsen over time, causing the fascia to compress and contort the muscles it surrounds.
High fibre and high residue foods tend to be harder to digest, and therefore often need to be excluded from the diet whilst you have a stricture or adhesion. You may be asked to reduce your intake of harder to digest foods, such as: Certain fruits and vegetables (e.g. where you consume the skins, seeds and pips)
A person with ARD will usually experience chronic abdominal pain. Typical adhesions form within the first few days after surgery, but symptoms can last for months or even years. Symptoms may be mostly in one area of the abdomen, but are often generalised, vague, 'crampy' and difficult to define.
For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months. You should only stop sooner than that if the scar starts showing signs of infection or you experience intolerable discomfort.
Previous studies have shown dietary supplements of vitamin E to reduce the incidence of postoperative peritoneal adhesions.
Some adhesions go away by themselves. If they partly block your intestines, a diet low in fiber can allow food to move easily through the affected area. If you have a complete intestinal obstruction, it is life-threatening. You should get immediate medical attention and may need surgery.
Cross Friction Massage
This technique involves applying deep, perpendicular strokes across the scar tissue to break up adhesions and promote healing.
Celecoxib and rofecoxib offer several advantages over other angiogenesis inhibitors for the treatment of adhesions. Unlike the majority of angiogenesis inhibitors, these COX-2 inhibitors are approved drugs.
Magnesium citrate usually causes a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 6 hours after taking it. Follow the directions on your product label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take magnesium citrate exactly as directed.
One of the most effective methods is called instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). This technique makes use of metal tools. The tools are designed to fit specific areas of the body, and they allow therapists to apply therapeutic pressure. It's this pressure that helps break up adhesions.
In conclusion, probiotics can effectively reduce abdominal adhesions by restoring the microbial balance and reducing inflammation and fibrosis caused by surgery. Keywords: abdominal adhesion; probiotics; high-throughput sequencing; TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway; fibrosis.
A deep, firm pressure is used during a deep tissue massage aiming to get deeper within muscle fibres and tissues. A deep tissue massage breaks down adhesions and collagen fibres that can be caused as a result of scar tissue. Adhesions restrict movement and increase pain resulting in an increase in stress.
Self-help for adhesions
If over-the-counter painkillers aren't helping, it's important to see a doctor because you may need more specialist help. Your doctor may suggest making some changes to your diet. This may help food to pass through your bowel more easily. It may also ease the pain.