What Causes Abdominal Pain,bloating And Distension?
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
It appears that multiple surgeries have lead to the development of adhesions in abdomen resulting in chronic abdominal off and on symptoms of abdominal pain,bloating,distension etc.
Multiple abdominal surgeries are the most common cause for adhesions however inflammatory conditions like cholecystitis,appendicitis,peritonitis,some foreign objects in abdomen can also result in adhesions.
These adhesions result in intertwining of intestines resulting in obstruction of intestinal movement.Generally this obstruction is short lived and gets all right of it's own but sometimes it can result in severe obstruction,which may necessitate surgery.
I would advise you to undergo abdominal ultrasound and CT abdomen for diagnosing other conditions since adhesions can't be detected by any investigations.
If all the investigations are found to be normal,then laparoscopic exploration remains the best tool to diagnose and even correct this condition by cutting the bands of adhesions.
However this adhesions cutting surgery in itself can result in more adhesions.
In general laparoscopic adhesions band cutting is reserved for severe conditions or intestinal obstructions.
Treatment is done conservatively by taking medications,taking rest,massaging,regular exercises,taking plenty of water etc.
The problem generally gets resolved soon but sometimes can take little longer as it is happening to you now.
In case your problem doesn't subside by toninght,you can think of going to ER tomorrow.
I wish you consult a gastroenterologist surgeon and get evaluated yourself.
I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
It's the next day now and the pains have partly subsided. As you said, surgery I think is a last resort. I also think that obstruction is not likely because I have been able to have normal bowel movements, just unable to flatulate. My appetite was a little less yesterday but I think that was just anxiety. My main suspicion was gas since most of the day I was unable to pass flatula at all, and I was scared mainly because this type of thing (bloating, gas pain) usually resolves in minutes, whereas yesterday it took most of the day. But it feels a little better today, I still have some abdominal areas sore to the touch but hopefully that's just from the pressing and massage I did yesterday.
Adhesions in themselves don't cause any pain.In fact adhesions result in temporary and partial intestinal obstructions which result in pain and trapped gases.Since adhesions are caused by surgery and a further surgery to cut adhesions can result in more adhesions,surgery is considered only if either the obstruction is complete or if there are repeated episodes of pain and trapped gases.
Sporadic and occasional episodes are treated only conservatively.
Thanks