Astounded doctors have shared footage of an Ethiopian woman’s stomach twisting naturally, like that of a belly dancer.
The 54-year-old, whose story was published in a medical journal, was plagued by the unusual “squirting” movements for six years.
Medical workers were initially baffled by her bizarre, involuntary movements, and medication never helped calm her down.
She was eventually diagnosed with “belly dancer dyskinesia” and became one of the few ever to be affected by this rare condition.
The unidentified 54-year-old woman from Ethiopia is one of the few people in the world known to have the rare stomach condition (pictured above), which causes painless but unrelenting abdominal movements
Although the unidentified woman was bothered by the sharp turns, it was not painful.
And drugs in the form of benzodiazepines finally helped her get rid of the disorder.
The mother of eight from Addis Ababa, went to the hospital complaining of her abdominal movements, bloating and indigestion.
She attributed her strange symptoms – which eased after fasting – to a procedure to remove her gallbladder.
But test results for all routine examinations came back as usual, leaving doctors confused.
A respiratory illness – which medics later suggested could be the culprit – was also ruled out because the movements “did not respond to breathing maneuvers and distractions.”
In the International Medical Case Reports Journal, doctors diagnosed functional dyspepsia – recurring symptoms of an upset stomach for no apparent reason – and BDD, a condition that has seen “few cases” since it was first reported in 1990.
BDD, also known as diaphragmatic flutter, is characterized by its abnormal undulations.
Experts say this is due to involuntary contractions of the diaphragm causing movement in the anterior abdominal wall.
According to the Ethiopian doctors, BDD is an “extremely rare” and poorly understood “phenomenon” that significantly affects a patient’s quality of life.
What caused the woman’s condition is unclear.
Surgical procedures — including appendectomy, laparoscopy and major surgery — or local trauma are thought to account for about half of all reported cases, while several other factors also cause BDD, the medics said.
Some antipsychotic drugs have also been shown to cause the condition, experts said.
Patients suffering from the disease often think they have a digestive problem and may seek help from the hospital’s gastroenterology services, doctors have warned.
There is currently no evidence-based treatment recommendation.
However, benzodiazepines – or “benzos” – have been found to be effective in some cases. They work by slowing down body and brain functions.
Botox injections and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) have also been reported to effectively treat BDD in a handful of other cases.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
