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What’s a foreign object? -

A foreign object is something that is not supposed to be in the body. Essentially, this refers to anything other than food, (i.e. plastic, metal, glass, etc.).

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Who’s at risk? -

Anyone can swallow a foreign object by accident, but children under three are more at risk than other age groups.

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Children are at risk -

Because children explore the world with their senses, they’re more likely to become curious and swallow objects. In fact, one study suggests that “20% of children between the ages of one to three have swallowed a non-food item.”

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Children are at risk -

Research also shows that children under five are responsible for the majority of all reported cases of swallowed foreign objects.

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What kind of foreign objects do people swallow by accident? -

The list is quite vast, especially when it comes to toddlers. Objects include coins, buttons, marbles, crayons, toys, and rocks.

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What kind of foreign objects do people swallow by accident? -

It’s not uncommon for other objects, such as nails, screws, pins, magnets, and even small batteries to be swallowed.

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The digestive process -

When you swallow a foreign object, it goes through a cycle. It starts in your mouth and then goes through the throat, then moves on to the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.

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The digestive process -

Rhythmic muscular contractions, known as peristalsis, set the object in motion through the various phases of digestion.

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The digestive process -

The object then passes through muscular valves called sphincters. Throughout the entire process, the object can damage tissues or even get stuck.

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Passing objects -

Sometimes, when the object is smooth and small enough, it will pass through the body without a problem. But sharp, large, or irregularly shaped objects may not.

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Passing objects -

Some objects may pass within a few days, but others can actually take weeks until they find a way out of your body.

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Symptoms -

After swallowing a foreign object, symptoms may occur immediately or take some time to manifest. Coughing or gagging are among the first symptoms that may occur.

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Symptoms -

Other symptoms may include troubled or noisy breathing, wheezing, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.

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Symptoms -

If the object gets stuck in the esophagus or bowel, other symptoms may occur, including vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and bloody stool, among others.

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Symptoms -

In small children, symptoms may also include drooling, persistent crying, and refusal to eat.

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Dangerous objects: batteries -

Button batteries are amongst the most common and dangerous objects swallowed by children, as they can cause chemical burns.

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Dangerous objects: batteries -

Lithium batteries are also very dangerous, as they can generate electrical currents and damage tissue.

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Sharp objects -

Sharp objects can really damage the walls of the esophagus. If a wound is deep enough, it may lead to an infection, and, in the worst-case scenario, the development of sepsis.

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Magnets -

Magnets are also dangerous, especially if more than one is swallowed. This is because they can join together or attach to another piece of metal if it was also swallowed. This can pinch the GI tract walls, which might obstruct blood flow and lead to tissue necrosis.

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Adults -

While children are the ones most at risk of accidentally eating foreign objects, adults do it, too. One of the most commonly swallowed items are bones (e.g. chicken or fish).

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Adults -

Other objects that adults sometimes swallow by mistake are dental appliances, such as crowns or veneers.

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What to do if someone swallows a foreign object -

If you or someone else has swallowed a foreign object, a trip to the emergency room is the best course of action.

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What to do if someone swallows a foreign object -

Once at the hospital, imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be done to locate the object. This will then determine the treatment.

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Treatment -

While most objects will pass on their own, some need to be manually or surgically removed. This will depend on a number of factors, including the type and size of the object, and where in the body it is at the time it’s detected by diagnostic tests.

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Manual extraction -

Esophageal blockages can be very dangerous, so an emergency endoscopy is sometimes performed in an attempt to remove the object, when appropriate.

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Surgery -

Surgical removal of objects is rarer, but it’s sometimes required.

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What not to do -

When a person swallows an object, it’s important to seek urgent medical care. But patients and their loved ones are advised to avoid panicking.

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What not to do -

Trying to remove the object yourself, or inducing vomiting, is not recommended.

Sources: (Verywell Health) (Healthline)

See also: Attention parents—these are the most common childhood illnesses

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