P1296 Protein Shakes: An Unusual Cause of Gastric Phytobezoar in a Health Obsessed Person
Author insight from Jagpal S. Klair, MD, Mohit Girotra, MD, Farshad Aduli, MD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
What’s new here and important for clinicians?
The purpose of our report is to make clinicians cognizant regarding association of phytbezoars with protein shakes in health obsessed patients. Our case endorses obtaining a robust history especially pertaining to protein supplements. It is prudent to understand that health supplements/shakes consist of large proportions of protein that takes longer to digest than carbohydrates due to which food stays in stomach longer than usual. This effect is more pronounced with casein powder because casein is a very slow-digesting protein. This leads to undigested food hardening into solid masses called bezoars.
What do patients need to know?
Patients need to be aware that protein shakes are artificial supplements that should be avoided altogether as they can obtain enough protein supplement from their daily diet. In case supplements are necessary from medical perspective, a physician should be made aware, so that patients can be explained the possible ill-effects. Bezoars which are hardened undigested food is a direct affect to protein supplements that can lead to to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, upper gastrointestinal bleeding leading to gastric outlet obstruction and in severe cases perforation requiring surgery.
Author Contact
Jagpal Klair, MD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
jklair@uams.edu
Mohit Girotra,MD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
MGirotra@uams.edu
Farshad Aduli, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Faduli@uams.edu
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