The first-line treatment for bezoars is typically to see if the concretion can be dissolved. It isn't often your doctor will recommend you drink a diet soda, but this is one of those rare cases. Studies have shown that drinking Diet Coke, along with taking cellulase, can dissolve some phytobezoars over several weeks.
What does it feel like to have a bezoar?
Symptoms of Bezoars Most bezoars do not completely block the digestive tract and thus cause no symptoms. However, people may feel very full after eating a normal-sized meal and may have nausea, vomiting, and pain. People may also lose their appetite and lose weight.
How long does it take to form a bezoar?
The patients were instructed to drink one 12-oz can of Diet Coke twice daily and to take 1 cellulase tablet twice daily until resolution of the bezoar could be endoscopically confirmed, a process that took 6–8 weeks.
Do bezoars show up on xray?
radiography, CT scan is frequently utilized not only to iden- tify bezoars, but also evaluate it as a cause of obstruction, identify the location of the obstruction, as well as identify additional bezoars.
How do you know if you have a bezoar?
Symptoms and Signs of Bezoars When symptoms are present, the most common include postprandial fullness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss.
How long does it take Coke to dissolve a bezoar?
The mechanism by which Coca-Cola dissolves the bezoar is based upon its low pH, CO2 bubbles, and sodium bicarbonate content. " patients given a continuous infusion of Coca-Cola by nasogastric tube over 12 hours showed complete resolution of bezoars.
What is stomach Phytobezoar?
Gastric phytobezoars are a form of intestinal blockage and are seen in those with poor gastric motility. The preferred treatment of bezoars includes different therapies and/or fragmentation to avoid surgery.
What foods can cause bezoars?
The dietitian should advise such clients to avoid identified foods that lead to phytobezoar formation--oranges, persimmons, coconuts, berries, green beans, figs, apples, sauerkraut, brussels sprouts, and potato peel.
How do you get rid of a bezoar belly?
To help break down and dissolve a bezoar, a doctor may prescribe cola or cellulase for people who have mild symptoms. Cellulase is dissolved in water and taken by mouth for 2 to 5 days. Doctors may also give another drug taken by mouth called metoclopramide.
How common are gastric bezoars?
Overall, bezoars can be found in the stomach in less than 0.5% of individuals undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy examinations and in the small intestine in 0.4%-4.8% of all cases presenting with intestinal obstruction[9-13].
How do you treat bezoar naturally?
Coke drinking is an effective first-line treatment to dissolve 'gastric bezoars' or indigestible masses that form in the stomach after foreign material accumulates there, according to a new Greek study.