What are Adhesions?
An ADHESION
is a type of scar that forms an abnormal connection
between two parts of the body. Adhesions can cause
severe clinical problems. For example, adhesions
involving the female reproductive organs (ovaries, Fallopian
tubes) can and do cause infertility,
dyspareunia
(painful intercourse) and debilitating
pelvic pain. Adhesions involving the bowel
can cause bowel
obstruction or blockage. Adhesions may form
elsewhere such as around the heart,
spine
and in the hand
where they lead to other problems.
Adhesions occur in response
to injury of various kinds. For example, non-surgical
insults such as endometriosis,
infection, chemotherapy, radiation and cancer may damage
tissue and initiate ADHESIONS. By far the most
common kind of ADHESION is the one that forms after
surgery. ADHESIONS typically occur at the site
of a surgical procedure although they may also occur
elsewhere.
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