*Adhesions were first documented in 1872.....yes, 1872.....when Thomas Bryant reported a fatality due to adhesion-related bowel obstruction after gynecologic surgery. The SepraFilm website informs the reader: Over the next 130 years, adhesions have maintained prominence in the medical literature, both as a study topic and as a factor influencing various treatments and outcomes. Health care providers often consider only a few of the ways adhesions impact surgery and patient care.
Though adhesions may have maintained prominence in medical literature as a study topic and a factor that influences various treatments and outcomes, adhesions have, for the most part, remained dormant to the public at large. In other words, doctors may be studying, but they ain't talking! So, when a person is suffering from this dread disorder, it is the last thing on the list that a doctor will mention as a plausible cause of the pain and problems within the body. Of course, what many doctors know but do not tell sends the American sufferer roaming the beautiful USA in search of a doctor who gives a big rat's whisker about their condition.
Well, lo and behold, our daughter beame ill at age 13. We were told she had Crohn's disease. When we challenged that diagnosis, some of the best doc's we "visited" then said she had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). When we balked at that idea, they threw out the possibility of spastic colon, lupus, etc., and ultimately labeled her a hypochondriac and/or "depressed." What they didn't do was help her, nor did a single one ever say the dread word 'adhesions.'
But, we did not give up! It only took 14 years to uncover the TRUTH behind her illness: adhesions!
Today Melissa is well, married, has two children and is currently busy starting a new business. Her newfound health was not easily attained. Two surgeries in the USA (performed by different surgeons) left her in worse condition than she was prior to surgery. Since surgery is the #1 cause of adhesions, a catch 22 dilemma occurs. Yes, surgery is both cause and treatment of this dread disorder. The third surgery (third time's the charm!) was the key to Melissa regaining her life and her health.
And, when truth is revealed, there will always be someone who will be busy trying to hide that truth, cover it over....make it into a lie. After all, Thomas Bryant knew there was an illness called adhesions in 1872, yet since that surgery caused the death of a woman.....hmmmmm...well we'll just document that one and use it for study purposes.
*Bryant T. Clinical lectures on intestinal obstruction. Med Tim Gaz 1872;1:363-5.
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