Nearly a month of persistent nausea and vomiting.

Whenever they eat, they feel discomfort in their stomach, and even a small amount of food makes them feel uncomfortably full.

Most people would assume it is gastritis or indigestion.

However, in some cases, the actual cause may be a hard mass inside the stomach that has solidified like a stone.

Recently, in the United States, a woman in her 60s who visited a hospital with these symptoms attracted attention after receiving an unexpected treatment.

The treatment prescribed by the doctor was none other than because it was cola.

Of course, that did not mean she could drink just any cola.

The treatment was carried out under medical supervision, and the outcome was equally fascinating.

What Is a Bezoar?

A bezoar is a hardened mass formed when materials that cannot be digested accumulate and solidify inside the stomach.

It's similar to having a small stone form inside the stomach.

Bezoars can develop from a wider variety of causes than many people realize.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Fruit fibers
• Persimmons
• Vegetable fibers
• Seeds and nuts
• Hair
• Medication ingredients

These and other materials can remain in the stomach for a long time and eventually form a hard mass.

Cases caused by a buildup of plant fibers are especially known as This type of condition is called a phytobezoar .

What Symptoms Can a Bezoar Cause?

In the early stages, there may be no noticeable symptoms at all.

However, as the bezoar grows in size, it can begin to cause a variety of digestive symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Recurring vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Indigestion
• Discomfort after meals
• Early satiety (feeling full after eating only a small amount of food)

These and other similar symptoms may occur.

In particular, if you continue to feel uncomfortably full after eating only a small amount of food, it may indicate a problem other than simple indigestion.

The Unexpected Treatment Given to a Woman in Her 60s

A 63-year-old woman in the United States visited a hospital after suffering from nausea and vomiting that had persisted for nearly a month.

The examinations revealed that the cause of her symptoms was a bezoar.

A considerably large mass was found inside her stomach.

However, the treatment method chosen by the medical team was somewhat unexpected.

It was a treatment that used Diet Coke.

Following the medical team's instructions, the patient drank a total of 1.5 liters of Diet Coke over approximately 12 hours.

By the second day of treatment, her symptoms had already begun to improve rapidly.

The nausea and abdominal discomfort disappeared, and a follow-up endoscopy showed that the bezoar was no longer present.

Can Cola Really Dissolve a Bezoar?

Hearing this story, many people find it hard to believe.

"Cola can dissolve a stone?"

In fact, cola is sometimes used as a treatment for certain types of phytobezoars (plant-based bezoars).

This is a treatment method that has already been reported multiple times in the field of gastroenterology.

However, there is one important point to keep in mind.

The important thing to remember is that cola is not a miracle treatment that can completely dissolve every bezoar.

Why Is Cola Used?

The exact mechanism has not yet been clearly identified.

However, experts suggest several possible explanations.

Experts suggest that the combination of carbonation and acidic components may help soften hardened bezoars or promote their breakdown.

Particularly in cases of phytobezoars, effectiveness has been reported in some patients.

Therefore, in certain situations, medical professionals may consider it as one of the treatment options.

Not All Bezoars Respond to This Treatment

Here is the most important fact.

Not all bezoars are the same.

They vary not only in type but also in composition.

Types of bezoars:

• Size
• How hard the bezoar is
• Cause of formation
• Location

The treatment approach can vary depending on these factors.

Therefore, a treatment that was effective for one patient will not necessarily produce the same results in another patient.

Why You Shouldn't Try This at Home

After reading this article, some people may be tempted to try treating themselves at home by drinking cola.

However, experts strongly warn against doing so.

Treatment of a bezoar with cola is performed only after the diagnosis has been confirmed in a hospital and under the supervision and judgment of medical professionals.

Self-treatment can be very dangerous.

In particular, if a bezoar that has not been sufficiently broken down passes through the stomach and moves into the small intestine, it can lead to more serious complications.

It may even lead to an intestinal obstruction.

One of the most concerning complications is intestinal obstruction.

Intestinal obstruction is a condition in which the intestine becomes blocked, preventing food and gas from passing through normally.

In some cases, emergency surgery may be required.

If part of a bezoar moves into the small intestine and blocks it, the situation can become far more serious than simple indigestion.

Therefore, hospitals determine the appropriate treatment method only after evaluating the bezoar's location and size.

If you have these symptoms, seeking medical evaluation should come first.

Many people assume that recurring nausea and indigestion are simply signs of gastritis.

However, if the following symptoms persist, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Recurring vomiting

If you feel nauseated or frequently vomit whenever you eat.

Early satiety (feeling full after eating only a small amount of food)

If you feel excessively full even after eating only a small amount of food.

Chronic abdominal pain

If you experience recurring abdominal pain without any clear cause.

Unexplained weight loss

If you are losing weight along with a decreased appetite or reduced food intake.

These symptoms may be a sign not only of a bezoar but also of other digestive disorders.

What Matters More Than Cola Is an Accurate Diagnosis

This case is particularly interesting.

This case is particularly interesting because it demonstrated that cola can actually be used as a treatment option for some patients with bezoars.

However, the takeaway from this case is not "drink cola whenever you have stomach pain."

Quite the opposite.

This is because the underlying cause can be completely different, even when the symptoms appear to be the same.

It could be gastritis,

It could be a stomach ulcer,

It could also be a bezoar,

It could even be another digestive disorder altogether.

Why Doctors Prescribe Cola and Why We Shouldn't Try It Ourselves

There are countless folk remedies and home treatments circulating on the internet.

However, there is a clear difference between a treatment used in a medical setting and something an individual chooses to try at home.

Doctors determine the appropriate treatment based on accurate test results.

However, self-diagnosis can be dangerous.

This case is best viewed as an interesting medical story.

If persistent vomiting, nausea, and early satiety continue, it is important to seek medical attention rather than reaching for a cola.

This is because, in some cases, an accurate diagnosis can be the most effective treatment of all.