TRICHOBEZOAR Meaning and
Definition
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A trichobezoar is a medical condition characterized by the formation of a mass or lump in the gastrointestinal tract resulting from the accumulation of hair. The term is derived from the combination of two words; tricho, meaning hair, and bezoar, which refers to a concretion or hardened mass found in the digestive system.
Trichobezoars typically occur in individuals, predominantly adolescents, who exhibit a compulsive habit of hair pulling or twisting. This behavior, known as trichotillomania, leads to the ingestion of the hair. Over time, hair accumulates in the stomach and the small intestine, forming a tightly packed ball. If left untreated, the trichobezoar can grow in size, obstruct the gastrointestinal tract, and lead to a series of adverse consequences.
Symptoms of trichobezoar may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and loss of appetite. Diagnosing the condition often requires medical imaging techniques such as x-rays, ultrasounds, or endoscopy to identify the presence of the hair mass.
Treatment for trichobezoar typically involves surgical intervention, as it is necessary to remove the mass from the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, minimally invasive approaches may be used, but larger or more complicated trichobezoars may require open surgery. Additionally, addressing the underlying psychological disorder causing trichotillomania is vital to prevent the recurrence of such masses in the future. Psychological therapy, counseling, and support groups may be beneficial in managing this aspect of treatment.
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A hair ball in the stomach.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TRICHOBEZOAR
- rrichobezoar
- frichobezoar
- grichobezoar
- yrichobezoar
- 6richobezoar
- 5richobezoar
- teichobezoar
- tdichobezoar
- tfichobezoar
- ttichobezoar
- t5ichobezoar
- t4ichobezoar
- truchobezoar
- trjchobezoar
- trkchobezoar
- trochobezoar
- tr9chobezoar
- tr8chobezoar
- trixhobezoar
Etymology of TRICHOBEZOAR
The word "trichobezoar" is derived from two components:
1. "Tricho-" is derived from the Greek word "thrix" meaning "hair". It is commonly used as a prefix in medical terminology to refer to hair-related conditions.
2. "-bezoar" comes from the Persian word "pād-zahr" meaning "antidote". The term then entered the Arabic language as "bazahr", which referred to a solid mass formed inside the gastrointestinal tract. It eventually made its way into English as "bezoar".
Combining these two components, "trichobezoar" refers to a mass of ingested hair that accumulates in the digestive system, also known as a hairball.
Similar spelling words for TRICHOBEZOAR
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