Hairball

Hairball is a condition that primarily affects cats, but can also occur in other animals, including humans. It is characterized by the accumulation of hair in the stomach due to grooming and swallowing hair. This article provides a comprehensive overview of hairballs, their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Causes

Hairballs are caused by the ingestion of hair. In cats, this typically occurs during grooming when the cat's rough tongue catches loose hair, which is then swallowed. In humans, hairballs can occur as a result of a psychological condition called trichophagia, where the person has a compulsion to eat hair.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of a hairball is the regurgitation of a cylindrical mass of hair, often accompanied by a small amount of bile or food. Other symptoms can include decreased appetite, lethargy, constipation, and abdominal discomfort.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a hairball is typically based on the presence of the characteristic symptoms and the patient's history. In some cases, a physical examination or imaging studies such as an ultrasound or X-ray may be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for hairballs primarily involves managing the symptoms and preventing further hair ingestion. In cats, this can include regular grooming to remove loose hair and the use of hairball remedies or diets designed to help pass the hair through the digestive system. In humans, treatment may involve psychological therapy for trichophagia.

Prevention

Prevention of hairballs involves reducing the amount of hair that is ingested. This can be achieved through regular grooming in cats and psychological therapy in humans with trichophagia.

See also

• Trichophagia
• Cat health
• Human digestive system

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