| Internal scarring. If only we could see the interior of our | | | | over. Though the surgeon may remove adhesions |
| bodies as easily as we see the exterior. Our lives and | | | | during laparoscopy surgery, if an adequate barrier is |
| the problems we encounter, especially when it comes | | | | not used after adhesions are removed, the tissues |
| to our health, would be so much easier to solve! | | | | begin to adhere once again. Adhesions are, after all, |
| Unfortunately, when it comes to the intricate workings | | | | bands of scar tissue that form as the body's natural |
| of the machine inside of us, we truly see through a | | | | method of healing; thus surgery without an adequate |
| glass darkly. When health issues arise, we are forced | | | | barrier is almost always an effort in futility. |
| to seek out medical assistance. Radiation imagery | | | | For reasons yet unknown, some adhesions continue to |
| provides that look inside, which often paves the way | | | | grow, branching out like a vine, entrapping everything in |
| to solving a health issue. Other times, however, even | | | | its path. If you have seen a telephone pole or other |
| the best of medical imagery and blood work provide | | | | structure encased by a wild vine, you know much of |
| little to no clue to a problematic condition. | | | | the pole or structure is no longer identifiable. In severe |
| Internal scarring--adhesions--can cause life altering, | | | | cases of adhesions, the surgeon must painstakingly |
| debilitating symptoms that often leave the physician | | | | remove adhesions just to find the organs that have |
| baffled after all medical tests have been concluded. | | | | been taken over by abnormal scar tissue growth. |
| Adhesions elude the eye of standard medical imagery | | | | Organs that have been compromised by scar tissue |
| and can only be diagnosed by diagnostic laparoscopy. | | | | can play havoc on one's life, as the internal organs are |
| The physician who suspects adhesions may suggest | | | | designed to move freely within the body. Scar tissue |
| "exploratory surgery" or diagnostic laparoscopy. He | | | | encasing the bowel can cause nausea and vomiting or |
| may feel the need to have a look at internal organs. | | | | a full blown bowel obstruction. Scar tissue on the |
| Unfortunately, however, this is rarely the case. Most | | | | diaphragm can cause breathing problems or a general |
| adhesions sufferers will spend seven to ten years (on | | | | shortness of breath. Adhesions on fallopian tubes can |
| average) in search of an answer to their pain before | | | | cause infertility problems, as well as severe pain during |
| learning they suffer from internal adhesions. In most | | | | menses. Overall, adhesions that become problematic |
| cases, the sufferer is the one who usually stumbles on | | | | can destroy a person's life, much as was true in the |
| to information that leads him back to the doctor with | | | | case of my daughter who suffered fourteen |
| the request for diagnostic laparoscopy. | | | | years--often in agonizing pain--before we learned the |
| Still yet, even if surgery is performed and adhesions | | | | true culprit behind her debilitating pain--adhesions. |
| are found, the journey to wellness is usually far from | | | | |