How do you treat phytobezoars?

Gastric phytobezoars are generally treated conservatively. To accomplish this, various methods are conventionally used. Among these, the oldest known method is ingestion of pineapple juice (11). In surgical clinics, repeat doses of cola have been used, and successful outcomes have been reported (12, 13).

How do you get rid of gastric bezoar?

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.

What are gastric phytobezoars?

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.

Does Diet Coke dissolve bezoars?

Recently, the carbonated beverage Coca-Cola (The Coca-Cola Company) has been successfully used to dissolve bezoars. We report 3 patients with gastric phytobezoars who were successfully treated with a combination of Diet Coke (The Coca-Cola Company) and cellulase.

How do I know if I have a bezoar in my stomach?

Symptoms and Complications of Bezoars

  1. Lack of appetite.
  2. Feeling full after eating a small food portion.
  3. Vomiting.
  4. Nausea.
  5. Abdominal pain.
  6. Anemia.
  7. Weight loss.
  8. Bloating.

How do you get rid of bezoars naturally?

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 dissolves intestinal blockage?

Not only that, the sodium bicarbonate in Coke has a loosening effect that, when combined with bubbles from carbon dioxide, may have aided in dissolving the blockages. Diet Coke and Coke Zero worked just as well as the sugared versions because they contain the same basic ingredients.

Are phytobezoars common?

Phytobezoars are the most common type of bezoars, accounting for approximately 40% of all reported bezoars. Diospyrobezoars, a subset of phytobezoars, are composed of persimmons and can be particularly hard in consistency, as they are formed by the agglutination of tannins in fruit skins.

How long does it take for a bezoar to dissolve?

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.

Why do bezoars form?

Bezoars are caused by a buildup of material in the gastrointestinal tract that the stomach can’t digest. Although bezoars can affect anyone, some health conditions may indicate an increased likelihood of a bezoar.

What are the symptoms of a blockage in your stomach?

Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:

  • Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Constipation.
  • Vomiting.
  • Inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
  • Swelling of the abdomen.

How do you clear a bowel obstruction without surgery?

CONSERVATIVE TREATMENTS

  1. Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube) In order to help you feel more comfortable and release any pressure, your doctor may insert a small tube through your nose and down into your stomach.
  2. Watchful Waiting.
  3. Therapeutic Enema.
  4. Large Bowel Resection.
  5. Small Bowel Resection.
  6. Strictureplasty.