October 8, 2001 – Introduced by Representative GARD. Referred
to Committee on
Public Health.
1 Relating to: urging increased awareness of
Adhesion Related Disorder.
2 Whereas, efforts
to increase awareness regarding health issues that affect
3 residents of the state of Wisconsin
merit the support of the Wisconsin state assembly;
4 and
5 Whereas, it is important
to call attention to the serious medical condition of
6 adhesion related disorder (ARD), which afflicts
many residents of this great state;
7 and
8 Whereas, adhesions
are internal scars that frequently occur after surgery and
9 can grow to connect internal organs not normally
connected leading to chronic pain,
10 recurrent bowel obstruction, and infertility; and
11 Whereas, in extreme cases,
some patients have had to endure over 20
12 operations to remove adhesions because of the propensity
for regrowth of scar tissue;
13 and
14
Whereas, ARD may become so severe that patients are unable to work; health
2001 – 2002 Legislature
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1 emotional health of ARD sufferers is severely
affected, leading to life–threatening
2 depression and isolation; and
3 Whereas, hospital
admissions for ARD number over 300,000 per year, rivaling
4 those for heart bypass, appendectomy, and
other common operations, yet the
5 awareness of this serious condition is relatively
low; and
6 Whereas, the
lack of awareness about adhesions and ARD means that many
7 doctors do not understand the condition and
are unable to treat adhesions, insurance
8 companies are unwilling to pay for treatment,
and patients’ efforts to get well are
9 continually frustrated; and
10 Whereas, the International
Adhesion Society was formed in 1996 to promote
11 awareness about adhesions, to provide support to
patients and information to
12 medical professionals, and to encourage research
into adhesions and their
13 prevention; and
14 Whereas, in recognition
of the debilitating effects ARD has had on those
15 afflicted, it is incumbent upon the residents of
this state to support the courageous
16 individuals living and coping with this painful
condition; now, therefore, be it
17 Resolved by the assembly,
That the members of the Wisconsin assembly
18 hereby recognize ARD, promote awareness of
this debilitating condition, and
19 support further research leading to advancements
in the treatment of this disorder;
20 and, be it further
21 Resolved, That
the assembly chief clerk shall transmit copies of this
22 resolution to Beverly Doucette, the International
Adhesion Society, and the
23 Wisconsin Medical Society.
24
(END)
