. Most foreign bodies that have been swallowed will pass through the GI tract without causing harm once they have reached the stomach. People who swallow drug packets are often admitted to the hospital to be watched. Endoscopy is not often done because it can tear the packet and spill the drugs into the patients system. This could be very harmful.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
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.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Family Physicians ‚
http://aafp.org ‚
American Family Physician ‚
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/1015/p1185.html ‚
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ‚
http://www.asge.org/press/press.aspx?id=3620&terms=ingested%20objects ‚
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚