MRI scan of the small bowel: this involves drinking a liquid that highlights the shape of the bowel and may indicate presence of adhesions by highlighting abnormal dilatation (enlargement) or kinking of a region of the small bowel.If the symptoms are typical of adhesions and there is a history of previous abdominal surgery, then the doctor may suspect adhesions and request further investigation. If the bladder is affected by adhesions it can cause urinary problems whilst adhesions on or around the ovaries can lead to difficulty with conception or infertility. Adhesions can result in long term abdominal pain (chronic pain syndrome), which can be difficult to treat. Pain from adhesions is caused by the increased muscle contraction of the gut trying to force its contents through the narrowed segment.

However, they can cause kinks or twists in the gut, reducing the movement of the gut, causing obstruction and other symptoms, including recurrent episodes of colicky (cramping) abdominal pain, bloating, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick) and a change in stool frequency and consistency. What are the usual symptoms of adhesions?Īdhesions often cause no symptoms at all.

Rip and tear your guts