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What are Bezoars?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

The human digestive system can handle a wide variety of organic and inorganic materials, but occasionally substances such as hair, seeds, pills or vegetable husks become indigestible or partially digestible formations called bezoars. These structures can lodge anywhere in the digestive system, but are most commonly found in the stomach, esophagus or upper intestines. Most of these formations are not considered to be life-threatening, but they can cause painful blockages and other digestive problems if not treated or removed promptly. Some bezoars or swallowed foreign objects can also cause intestinal bleeding and an inability to vomit. Some conditions do require surgical intervention or aggressive drug treatments in order to be removed from the body or rendered harmless.

Many people may be familiar with the feline condition known as hairballs. A cat often ingests a significant amount of hair while grooming, and this hair can accumulate in the animal's stomach until it forms a semi-solid, indigestible ball. The same process can lead to the formation of a bezoar in the human body. A child may habitually chew on the ends of his or her hair, for example. The ingested hair collects in the child's stomach and forms a congealed lump.

Aggressive drug treatments may be required to treat bezoars.
Aggressive drug treatments may be required to treat bezoars.

As more hair is ingested, other hair bezoars may form or the original will increase in size. A small hairball or bezoar trapped within a child's stomach may not be seen as problematic, but a larger one could migrate towards the stomach's sphincter and become trapped in the upper intestines. Large untreated structures can cause a number of digestive problems, including chronic constipation and blood in the stools. Surgical or medicinal intervention may become necessary in order to remove the blockage or break it into digestible pieces.

Swallowing large amounts of bubblegum may lead to the development of bezoars.
Swallowing large amounts of bubblegum may lead to the development of bezoars.

Some people develop this condition as a result of certain foods. Some vegetable seeds have outer shells which are either indigestible or slow to break down in the stomach. These seeds could collect in the stomach and form troublesome bezoars. Other foods may contain indigestible husks or shells which remain in the stomach long after the food itself has been processed.

Bezoars are most commonly found in the stomach and upper intestines.
Bezoars are most commonly found in the stomach and upper intestines.

One urban legend concerning the lifespan of swallowed gum does contain a kernel of truth; bubblegum and other synthetic gum-based candies can indeed remain in the stomach and form harmful bezoars. This would require swallowing a significant amount of gum, however, and most individual pieces of ingested gum will pass through the rest of the digestive tract without incident.

The same process that causes hairballs in cats may lead to bezoars in humans.
The same process that causes hairballs in cats may lead to bezoars in humans.

Some bezoars do appear on traditional x-ray films, along with ingested foreign objects. A child with a large hair bezoar in his or her stomach may need some behavior modification therapy in order to curb the urge to chew on his or her hair, or his or her hair could need to be trimmed in order to prevent future incidents. For obstructions caused by food, a doctor may prescribe medications which soften or dissolve them chemically.

Bezoars can become lodged anywhere in the human digestive system, potentially causing serious problems.
Bezoars can become lodged anywhere in the human digestive system, potentially causing serious problems.

Especially large examples may require surgical intervention, either through the abdomen or with instruments introduced through the esophagus. Sometimes a surgeon will physically remove the entire bezoar, while other times he or she will break up the mass into smaller, more digestible parts. Most often, however, the masses will either dissolve over time or pass through the digestive system along with other ingested foods.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon330672

I have a pretty difficult case of gastroparesis, but it has been better for a few months, with symptoms waxing and waning. I ate a whole bunch of jelly beans tonight, then fell asleep for a few hours on the couch. Then I woke up, wondering why my stomach was feeling so bad, saw the jelly beans on the table and decided to look them up in conjunction with gastropareis as a web search. That is how I found these comments.

I think in the future, if I want to eat candy, I'll stick with smarties. I think the jelly beans were a pretty bad idea. Live and learn!

anon201655

@post 1: I'm not a doctor.I am a person with many medical problems. I do feel that gummy bears could be a problem. I love jelly beans and I don't eat a few; I eat the whole bag. I try not to buy them. It causes my body not to digest food. I can go days with the feeling and discomfort in my upper abdomen. Then I will throw up and it would be food I ate three days ago. It is such a large amount of undigested food.

So yes is the answer to your question. --VPsM

anon109089

The results of upper g.i. revealed bezoars and in thinking and reading, I think it could be from gummy bears and I love gummy bears. Does this seem possible, However I had three ruptured abscesses with colostomy. Upon reversal, the connection was too tight, requiring dilatation. after three tries I gave up but I have noticed I can't eat large meals and I take laxatives with no problems until recently (same time as eating gummy bears) Does that make sense.

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    • Aggressive drug treatments may be required to treat bezoars.
      By: milosducati
      Aggressive drug treatments may be required to treat bezoars.
    • Swallowing large amounts of bubblegum may lead to the development of bezoars.
      By: Vuk Vukmirovic
      Swallowing large amounts of bubblegum may lead to the development of bezoars.
    • Bezoars are most commonly found in the stomach and upper intestines.
      By: pixologic
      Bezoars are most commonly found in the stomach and upper intestines.
    • The same process that causes hairballs in cats may lead to bezoars in humans.
      By: pwollinga
      The same process that causes hairballs in cats may lead to bezoars in humans.
    • Bezoars can become lodged anywhere in the human digestive system, potentially causing serious problems.
      By: blueringmedia
      Bezoars can become lodged anywhere in the human digestive system, potentially causing serious problems.