In Buryatia, doctors saved the life of an 80-year-old woman who was a date enthusiast at the last moment. The complications caused by an ordinary fruit astonished the medical staff as well.
Medianews.az, referring to Publika.az, reports that an elderly woman admitted to the N.A. Semashko Republic Clinical Hospital complained of unbearable pain. During the examinations, it was found that the patient had developed an acute intestinal obstruction.
The woman had eaten dates two months earlier. It was precisely the indigestible fibers of that fruit that combined in the stomach to form a hard mass called a "phytobezoar." This "mass" passed into the intestine, completely blocking the passage and putting the patient's life at serious risk.
Surgeons decided on an emergency operation. The doctors cut both the stomach and the small intestine and removed the "phytobezoar" from there. After an intense 11-day treatment, the woman was discharged home.
It should be noted that specialists warn that especially elderly people and those with gastrointestinal problems should be extremely cautious when consuming fibrous fruits such as dates.