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Foreign Body, Swallowed Discharge Instructions, Adult


About this topic


Swallowing an object that is not food is called foreign body ingestion. Some people swallow things on purpose. Other times it happens on accident. The object may get stuck in the tube that joins your mouth to your stomach. This is your esophagus. Most of the time, what you have swallowed passes through your stomach and bowels without causing any problems. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do. ‚  

What follow-up care is needed?


  • If you are seen in the ER for swallowing an object, you may be told to see a doctor who specializes in the GI tract in the next 3 days. Sometimes, there is some other problem in the GI tract that may need attention.
  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • You may be asked to check your stool until the object passes.

What problems could happen?


  • Soreness or swelling of the lining of the GI tract
  • Block or narrowing of GI tract
  • Infection
  • Hole in GI tract
  • GI tract scarring

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Be sure that false teeth fit well.
  • Cut food, especially meat, into bite-size pieces before eating.
  • Remove all toothpicks from food before eating.
  • Caregivers of people with mental health problems should keep all objects that could be swallowed out of reach.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
  • Belly pain
  • Bloody stools
  • Bloating
  • Throwing up
  • Hard stools
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what was done and if I need to watch for the object to pass in my stool.
  • I can tell you how I will take extra care to prevent this from happening in the future.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, bad sore throat, belly pain, or cough.

Where can I learn more?


Better Health Channel ‚  
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Toddlers_and_choking ‚  
New Zealand National Poisons Centre ‚  
http://www.poisons.co.nz/fact.php?f=28 ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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