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| Health & Wellness |
 Scar
Tissue & Adhesions - Is Surgery Really the AnswerBy Janet Rowe of Health & Natural Lifestyles Recently I was looking into the health problems that scar tissue and internal lesions can cause. I was amazed at just how many problems people can have with ovaries, uterus, testes and intestinal complications. I was equally amazed at how scar tissue effected the liver, heart, lungs, breathing and consequent illnesses or disorders caused from their restriction and toxicity. Let’s look at what happens. The tissue reaction to injury is called inflammation. Depending on the type of tissue involved and the amount of damage, the tissue may be completely restored to normal or scar tissue may form. Tissue injury can be caused by surgery, infection, trauma or radiation. An adhesion is a band of scar tissue that joins two separate internal body surfaces together. Adhesions usually occur between two adjacent serous membranes. A serous membrane is a thin cover of body tissue over internal body organs and cavities. It allows organs to move freely inside the body. Some of the body parts covered by serous membranes are the lungs, heart, abdominal organs, and cavities like the chest and abdomen. Adhesions can be as thin as plastic wrap or they may appear as thick, fibrous bands. Most adhesions are diagnosed during surgery. Your doctor may use x-rays or a CT scan to determine the extent of adhesion-related problems. The doctor’s typical treatment may involve cutting and releasing the adhesions (adhesiolysis) during a laparoscopy procedure, or treating the adhesions during a laparotomy. Problems Associated with Adhesions - There are often no signs or symptoms associated with adhesions. However, adhesions can cause pain by pulling on nerves. For example, adhesions above the liver may cause pain with deep breathing, intestinal adhesions may cause pain during exercise or stretching, and adhesions around the heart may restrict its action. Common problems associated with adhesions include: a) Abdominal Adhesions - Around 90% of patients who undergo abdominal or pelvic surgery develop abdominal adhesions. Most adhesions are painless and do not cause complications. However, it is estimated that adhesions are responsible for more than 60% of small bowel obstructions and contribute to the development of chronic pelvic pain. Adhesions that form in the abdomen may restrict motion of the small intestine, making it difficult for food to pass through the digestive system. The bowel may become blocked. When the bowel becomes full and hard, lower abominable pain can exist, as can the heaviness cause stress on the muscles pulling all the upper organs down, and causing further blockage to the elimination system. b) Pelvic Adhesions - Adhesions which involve the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes or bladder can form in the pelvis. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can lead to the development of adhesions which affect the fallopian tubes as well as damaging their lining. This can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. c) Heart Adhesions - These type of adhesions can develop as a result of infections of the heart or rheumatic fever. Adhesions around the heart can lead to decreased heart efficiency. Medical Issues to Consider - Since adhesions are likely to form after certain surgical procedures, surgical removal of adhesions (adhesiolysis) may be pointless (except for serious problems like bowel obstruction). In around 70% of cases, the operation to remove the original adhesions will cause more adhesions to develop. The risks, benefits and alternatives to surgery must be discussed thoroughly before any decision is made. During my research, I found it interesting as to how many people may have scar tissue from injuries, aside from surgeries, that probably resulted from improper drainage and abundance of white blood cells being overactive in healing the tissue. Sports injuries are usually operated on, but it leaves one wondering what will happen when the scar tissue comes back. How many times can they remove it? Another point to consider is how can you confidently opt for surgery if you can’t prove that the scar tissue is affecting your health. Is the operation really needed? Without solid medical evidence are you willing to get stuck with the bill? My understanding is that this “bill” starts somewhere around $10,000 to $20,000, which is certainly not in my financial realm, how about you? The Alternative Approach - Alternatively we can address certain amounts of adhesions and scar tissue. Firstly, this certainly provides justification of a healthy diet to avoid any irregularity and constipation, and to ensure continuous colon cleansing. A complimenting approach to the healthy diet includes a regular exercise program, essential oils, homeopathic drops, and vitamins and nutrients. These support the skin and can have a huge impact on detangling the web of scar tissue and adhesions. In a recent course I attended on cancer alternatives, arthritis and numerous other disorders, the physician teaching the course said, and I quote: “You can’t completely heal something if there is scar tissue involved until you get rid of the scar tissue.” So I am now on a mission to find the program for removing scar tissue! This physician gave some recommendations to which I am going to try, yes me first. If it works for me I will share what I have learned in a new article. If it’s possible to help yourself and others who suffer from adhesions and scar tissue, it’s worth the research time spent. How are you? Do you have scar tissue affecting your health? Why not try the alternative root first; after all it has less chance of forming new scar tissue on top of the old. Somehow I just know you will feel better as well! Janet Rowe, owner of Health & Natural Lifestyles Inc., offers a variety of therapies & therapeutic supplements. Call 403.212.6077 or visit www.healthy-option.com |