Pain Caused By Adhesions

Adhesions are internal scars that connect or bond internal organs and tissues. Often they cause few, if any, problems. But when they do, you can feel severe pain, a pulling sensation or even blockages.

Though they are often caused by an inflammation, infection, trauma or surgery, your adhesions may not have a flare up until months or even years later. The buildup may occur slowly as your body attempts to heal itself. Unfortunately, your body can’t tell the difference between tissue and organs and may end up connecting them together. The resulting adhesions can occur anywhere in your body, including your abdominal and pelvic region.

Nearly 95% of all people who undergo surgery have some adhesions. But they can also occur in people who’ve never had a single surgical procedure. For example, you could have an infection you were never aware of, yet adhesions are formed as your body fights it and then begins to heal.

In some cases, adhesions can cause a serious health issue, such as a bowel obstruction. As a result, the body can no longer process food, as the blockage prevents the food from moving naturally on its way. The result is serious abdominal pain and constipation.

In the pelvic region, adhesions can affect the pelvis, including the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and bladder. This can lead to fertility issues and incidences of ectopic pregnancy in which the fetus develops outside of the uterus.

If you’re suffering from abdominal pain, pelvic pain, nausea, cramping or other symptoms, you’ll want to see one of the specialists at the Center for Complex Abdominal and Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CAPPS) at Celebration Health who can assess your situation and determine an effective course of treatment and rehabilitation.