$Unique_ID{BRK01134}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Can You Explain the Nature of a "Bezoar"?}
$Subject{bezoar balls stomach ball Ill Defined Symptoms symptom Rare disease
Diseases digestive concretion concretions diabetes mellitus}
$Volume{N-10,I-10}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can You Explain the Nature of a "Bezoar"?


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QUESTION:  Another question for you in the vein of trivia.  Can you explain
the nature of a "bezoar"?  I am sure it is a medical condition, but my wife
insists it is a feathery scarf.  If I am wrong, you can leave this question
out of your column.

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ANSWER:  That's not playing the game in a fair and square fashion, but this
time you are right.  A bezoar is a curious, ball-like, accumulation or
"concretion" of hair or vegetable matter found in the stomach.  They are rare
in humans, more common in animals.  In humans, delayed emptying of the stomach
may be one of the factors in their formation, and they are more likely in
people who suffer stomach complications of diabetes.  Balls made of shellac or
bubble gum have been seen, but most often they are formed of hair, wool,
oranges or persimmons.  Generally they cause no symptoms, and when discovered
on x-rays, may be mistakenly diagnosed as a tumor.  In contrast, its a "boa"
that women wear, a long ornamental scarf of fur, feathers, or other material,
and which is derived from the Latin word "boa" or "bova" which means a "water
serpent".

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.