Swallowed Foreign Body, Adult
A swallowed foreign body is an object that gets stuck in the tube that connects your throat to your stomach (esophagus) or in another part of your digestive tract. Foreign bodies may be swallowed by accident or on purpose.
When you swallow a foreign body, it passes into your esophagus. The narrowest point in your digestive system is the place where your esophagus meets your stomach. If the object can pass through that point, usually it will continue through the rest of your digestive system without causing problems. A foreign body that gets stuck may need to be removed.
It is very important to tell your caregiver what you have swallowed. Certain swallowed items can be life-threatening. You may need emergency …show more content…
If the swallowed object is not dangerous but is stuck in your esophagus:
You may be given medicine to relax the muscles of your esophagus to allow the object to pass through.
If the object does not pass with medicine, endoscopy may be done to find and remove it. Your health care provider will put instruments through the endoscope to remove the object.
You may need emergency treatment if:
The object is in your esophagus and is causing you to inhale saliva into your lungs (aspiration).
The object is in your esophagus and is pressing on your airway. This makes it hard for you to breathe.
The object can damage your digestive tract. Some objects that can cause damage include batteries, magnets, sharp objects, and drugs.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
If the swallowed object in your digestive system is expected to pass:
Continue eating what you usually eat, unless your health care provider tells you otherwise.
Check each stool to see if you have passed the foreign body.
Contact your health care provider if the object has not passed after 3 days.
If you had endoscopic surgery to remove a foreign
A swallowed foreign body is an object that gets stuck in the tube that connects your throat to your stomach (esophagus) or in another part of your digestive tract. Foreign bodies may be swallowed by accident or on purpose.
When you swallow a foreign body, it passes into your esophagus. The narrowest point in your digestive system is the place where your esophagus meets your stomach. If the object can pass through that point, usually it will continue through the rest of your digestive system without causing problems. A foreign body that gets stuck may need to be removed.
It is very important to tell your caregiver what you have swallowed. Certain swallowed items can be life-threatening. You may need emergency …show more content…
If the swallowed object is not dangerous but is stuck in your esophagus:
You may be given medicine to relax the muscles of your esophagus to allow the object to pass through.
If the object does not pass with medicine, endoscopy may be done to find and remove it. Your health care provider will put instruments through the endoscope to remove the object.
You may need emergency treatment if:
The object is in your esophagus and is causing you to inhale saliva into your lungs (aspiration).
The object is in your esophagus and is pressing on your airway. This makes it hard for you to breathe.
The object can damage your digestive tract. Some objects that can cause damage include batteries, magnets, sharp objects, and drugs.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
If the swallowed object in your digestive system is expected to pass:
Continue eating what you usually eat, unless your health care provider tells you otherwise.
Check each stool to see if you have passed the foreign body.
Contact your health care provider if the object has not passed after 3 days.
If you had endoscopic surgery to remove a foreign