What Are Adhesions and How Do They Form?

Adhesions are a common yet often misunderstood issue that can affect anyone, whether you've had surgery, experienced an injury, or simply engaged in repetitive movements. In this first part of our series, we'll delve into what adhesions are and how they form.

Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that develop between tissues and organs in the body. They can occur in various locations, including the abdomen, pelvis, muscles, and even between internal organs. Adhesions form as a natural part of the body's healing process in response to trauma, inflammation, or surgery. When tissues are injured or irritated, the body produces collagen fibers to repair the damage. Sometimes, these fibers can bind neighboring tissues together, forming adhesions.

Factors that increase the risk of adhesion formation include:

• Surgery: Any type of surgery, particularly abdominal or pelvic procedures, can lead to adhesions.

• Inflammation: Conditions such as peritonitis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can trigger adhesion formation.

• Trauma: Physical trauma, such as accidents or injuries, can cause adhesions as the body heals.

• Radiation Therapy: Cancer treatments involving radiation can damage tissues and promote adhesion formation.