A ball of food and mucus, vegetable fibre, hair, or other indigestible material, in the stomach.
Trichobezoars, which are composed of hair, may form in children or emotionally disturbed adults who nibble at, or pull out and swallow, their hair.
Symptoms include loss of appetite, constipation, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain.
If trichobezoars pass into the intestines, they may cause obstruction (see intestine, obstruction of).
Bezoars can be removed endoscopically or surgically.
A mass of ingested foreign material found in the stomach, usually in children or people with psychiatric illnesses. It may cause gastric obstruction and require surgical removal. The commonest type consists of hair and is known as a trichobezoar.
n. a mass of swallowed indigestible material within the stomach. The material, which is usually swallowed by patients with psychiatric disorders, or children, may accumulate and lead to gastric obstruction. Its removal often requires surgery. See also trichobezoar.
The habit of constantly pulling out one’s hair. It can be associated with severe mental handicap or with a psychotic illness. It may also occur in psychologically disturbed children. The sufferer typically pulls, twists, and breaks off chunks of hair from the scalp, leaving bald patches; occasionally, pubic hair is pulled out. Children sometimes eat the removed hair, which may form a hairball in the stomach, known medically as a trichobezoar (see bezoar). Treatment depends on the cause, and may consist of psychotherapy or antipsychotic drugs.... trichotillomania
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