What are adhesions?

Adhesions are fibrous bands of scar-like tissue that form as a result of tissue injury inside our bodies.  The injured surface, structure or tissue becomes inflamed, thus depositing fibrin onto the damaged tissues, forming an internal scar if you will. Normally, internal tissues and organs have slippery surfaces so they can shift easily as the body moves. Adhesions cause tissues and organs to stick together. The fibrin acts like a glue to seal the injury, then our bodies repair process begins with the help from our white blood cells, enzymes, collagen and other matrix substances.

In the abdomen, they might connect the loops of the intestines to each other, to nearby organs, or to the wall of the abdomen. They can pull sections of the intestines out of place and cause pain, cramping, bloating, constipation, inability to pass gas, and can block food from passing through.

Although they can occur anywhere in the body but, often they occur after: