Following just about any type of surgery, scar tissue will form. Scar tissue is composed of collagen that forms fibrous bands. This tissue is beneficial and necessary for the body to heal a surgical wound properly. However, there are incidences where too much scar tissue forms and creates additional problems for the patient. This is the case with abdominal adhesions.
Formation of Abdominal Adhesions
Abdominal adhesions form when scar tissue becomes overgrown. The scar tissue then connects areas around the surgical procedure that would not normally be connected within the abdomen. These adhesions usually only cause mild pain and do not need medical attention. However, if enough scar tissue forms at the site, the small intestine can become strangled. These types of abdominal adhesions become medical emergencies because they keep you from being able to move your bowels.
Abdominal adhesions are most likely to form on those who have had some type of abdominal surgery in the past, especially when the surgery was performed by actually opening up the abdominal wall. Those who have had abdominal surgery laparoscopically are not likely to develop abdominal adhesions. Patients who have multiple abdominal surgeries are the most likely candidates to develop abdominal adhesions, followed by female patients who have had some sort of gynecological surgical procedure. Patients who have appendectomies are only slightly more prone to developing these adhesions of the abdomen than those individuals who have had no prior abdominal surgery.
Chinese Herbs
Sometimes, surgical treatment is required for abdominal adhesions because of blockage of the small intestine. However, this is rarely the case. A majority of the time these adhesions only cause mild pain that is bearable. When treatment is necessary, there are some alternative treatments available as well.
One of the alternative treatments for abdominal adhesions is the administration of Chinese herbs. When a patient is given a combination of rhubarb, mirabilitum, chih-shih, and magnolia, the concoction may help with the treatment of abdominal adhesions. Some believe that this combination can even prevent surgery when the adhesions have obstructed the bowels in some way.
Diet Change
Another alternative treatment is a change in diet. If you have been diagnosed with abdominal adhesions, this is the first thing you should consider as treatment. Typically, a change in diet means that you should switch to a nearly all liquid diet or a low-residue diet. This is a diet where the food that is eaten can be more easily digested within your system and includes lots of dairy products and food items that are low in fiber.
