15-centimeter ball removed from woman addicted to eating hair

A groundbreaking medical case reveals the shocking consequences of a rare syndrome known as Rapunzel Syndrome. The ailment, which has been documented only 88 times in medical literature, manifests in individuals suffering from an irresistible urge to pull out and consume their own hair. In this distressing incident, a 38-year-old woman with this syndrome was admitted to a hospital in the US, presenting symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal swelling. Concerningly, she had experienced a significant weight loss of 15 pounds over eight months, subsequently losing her appetite. This is reported by SSP.

Rapid action was required, and the medical team promptly performed surgery to investigate the cause of these distressing symptoms. Astonishingly, they discovered a colossal hairball measuring 15 centimeters lodged within the woman's digestive tract. Remarkably, this hairball included a small "tail" of hair trailing into her intestines, alongside an additional four-centimeter hairball nestled in her bowel. These findings confirmed her diagnosis of Rapunzel Syndrome, directly connected to trichotillomania.

The syndrome, fascinatingly dubbed after the fairytale character Rapunzel due to her lengthy locks, presents grave health risks as the ingested hair accumulates inside the patient's stomach. As a result, individuals affected by this disorder experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, altered bowel habits, abdominal distension, and weight loss. In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications, including bowel obstruction, perforation, bleeding, anemia, weight loss, and even appendicitis.

Medical professionals successfully performed surgery to remove both hairballs, leading to the woman's gradual recovery. She remained in the hospital for six days and received personalized health recommendations before being discharged. Aside from psychological therapy, the patient was prescribed a nutrient-rich diet, with a focus on protein intake through sources like eggs and chicken breast. Additionally, she was advised to supplement her daily meals with iron to combat nutritional deficiency.