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Swallowed small parts First aid for dangerous foreign bodies in the body
Accidentally swallowed down small parts such. A nail or button cell battery can cause serious damage to the gastrointestinal tract. The same applies to larger food chunks stuck in the neck. Patients should therefore consult a doctor. A new guideline shows how foreign bodies can be removed from the body in a gentle way.
Small parts are quickly swallowed
Whether a marble, the cap of the felt-tip pen or toys: Especially with small children, it quickly happens that small parts are swallowed. These are batteries, magnets or pointed, long items such as. A nail or a sewing needle can quickly cause dangerous damage in the gastrointestinal tract. The German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) points this out in a recent communication.
If a larger piece of food gets stuck in the throat, a doctor should be consulted immediately. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com) Immediately to the doctor at a fixed meal
Patients should not hesitate in such a case, but should go to a doctor. This is true even if large pieces of food have stuck in the esophagus, according to the DGVS. "Adults are most likely to come to the emergency room because of a piece of meat stuck in the esophagus, while children tend to focus on swallowed coins or toys," says the chairman of the DGVS, Professor. med. Alexander Meining.
According to a survey from the US, about 13 out of 100,000 adults a year would go to a doctor because of stuck food. And that's important, because "a complete obstruction of the esophagus can lead to serious damage to the mucous membrane," said Meining, who heads the endoscopy department at the Department of Internal Medicine at the Ulm University Hospital.
Foreign bodies can be recovered endoscopically
However, doctors can remedy this by carefully pushing the foreign body into the stomach with the help of an endoscope. Subsequently, the cause of the narrowing of the esophagus is clarified, which is usually an inflammation, reports the DGVS on.
If the swallowed part has already passed through the esophagus, it should be weighed. Whether it intervenes or not is determined primarily by the size and shape of the object, the expert explains. Small, round things like a coin would therefore mean a rather low risk, as they are excreted mostly without consequence in a natural way again.
Most objects leave the body with the bowel movement
"Around 80 to 90 percent of the foreign bodies find the way to the outdoors together with the porridge," said Meining according to the message. About one fifth could be removed endoscopically. Only in very rare cases, when e.g. If the object can not be reached with the endoscope or if damage has already been caused, surgery is necessary.
Batteries and magnets must be removed immediately
According to the DGVS, a new guideline of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ("ESGE") provides that if sharp, sharp or long things are to be done, an X-ray should be used to determine the exact position and if possible within 24 hours Hours can be removed with the endoscope.
Likewise, button batteries are unlikely to stay in the body, as these toxic ingredients leak out and can damage the mucosa. Magnets must therefore be brought back as soon as possible. Because these can stick together in the body and thereby Pinch tissue and cause life-threatening injuries.
Be sure to pay attention to possible warning signals
The new guideline provides clues as to what the situation should be and how it should be handled, but ultimately the doctor must always assess the individual case, according to Meining. "Especially with swallowed objects, it is important that the doctor and the patient are attentive and recognize and correctly classify possible symptoms such as gagging, vomiting, pain or discomfort," emphasizes the expert. (No)