WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Once swallowed, a foreign body can get stuck anywhere in
the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the throat to the stomach
and intestines. Pointed objects are more dangerous than round
ones. Once the object has reached the stomach, it usually
passes through the body by itself without causing problems.
This usually takes several days, but may take as long as 2 or 3
weeks. If the object is stuck and must be removed, the doctor
may be able to take it out by going down your throat with a
tube. Otherwise, you may need surgery.
Causes
In adults, meat and bones are the
objects that most commonly get stuck in the GI
tract.
Signs/Symptoms
Symptoms range from belly pain or
chest pain to anxiety, throwing up, and not being able to
swallow.
Care
Depends on what you swallowed and
where it is. If you have a piece of meat stuck below your
throat, you may be given medicine in an IV to relax your
muscles. This may make it easier to swallow the meat or throw
it up. The doctor may order x-rays to find the object.
If nothing shows up on the x-ray, your throat and food pipe may
be examined through a tube with a scope. Metal detectors can be
skimmed over your body to locate metal objects. Once the object
is found, your doctor may try to remove it, or you may simply
be watched closely in the hospital or at home.
Risks
The degree of danger depends on what you swallowed.
Without treatment, sharp objects can damage parts of the
gastrointestinal tract and cause major bleeding. Other objects
can block part of the GI tract.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
If the swallowed object has not been removed, you
should check your stools to make sure it passes. Putting
the stool in a strainer and running water over it may make
the job easier.
-
Eat a high-fiber diet until you pass the object. Good
choices are whole grain bread, oatmeal and bran cereals,
and fresh fruits and vegetables.
-
You may use milk of magnesia to help move the object
through your intestines. Do NOT take any other
laxatives.
-
If the object doesn't pass, you may need more x-rays
and other tests.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You do not see the swallowed object in your stool
within a few days.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You start throwing up, gagging, choking, drooling,
have neck or throat pain, or cannot
swallow.
-
You start coughing, wheezing, or breathing
noisily.
-
You have a high temperature.
-
You start having pain in your stomach, or see
bleeding from your rectum or blood in your
stool.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Upper GI: This is an x-ray of your stomach and
intestines. You will need to drink a chalky liquid before
the test. It blocks x-rays so that an outline of the GI
tract will appear on the film.
-
Endoscopy (end-OS-ko-pee): To locate the object, the
doctor may need to pass a soft tube through your mouth and
into your GI tract. A light and camera lens at the end of
the tube allow the doctor to view the
surroundings.
-
CT Scan ( also called a
CAT Scan ): In this test, a computer composes
pictures of your GI tract.
-
Chest X-ray: This picture of your lungs and heart
will show whether they have been affected in any
way.
-
NG Tube: Also called a nasogastric (naz-o-GAS-trik)
tube, this device is passed through your nose or mouth and
down into your stomach. The tube is attached to suction to
keep the stomach empty.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: You may be hooked up to a pulse
oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is placed on your ear, finger,
or toe and is connected to a machine. It measures the
oxygen in your blood.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-lec-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heart beat. Your heart is being watched for
signs of injury or damage that could be related to the
object.
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