I was wondering if there exists any foreign substance (may be ultra small to noticeable size, hard or soft or blunt or with sharp edges or needle etc.. ) which if engulfed accidentally with food can stay forever in body that too without any symptoms .
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biological substances get digested . plastic or metals.....some amount gets absorbed and some amount gets excreted. sharp edged, needles can actually tear mucosa and lead to perforation. batteries ingested can also lead to intestinal perforation.
food that we eat is a foreign substance. medicine is foreign substance. it would have been nice if you have mentioned what you have engulfed and why you want to know. if you were just wondering , internet can give you better answers. you can find articles published in major journals. please go through them, they are very insightful. for deeper understanding please go through Yamada's Textbook of Gastroenterology. its a very good book and explains everything in detail
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Most accidentally swallowed small, blunt foreign bodies pass naturally through the gastrointestinal tract and are expelled in stool, usually within several days. They generally do not remain permanently in the body without causing any issue.
Next Steps
evaluation with x-ray, ct scan or endoscopy required depending on location of object
Health Tips
Seek urgent medical attention if there is difficulty swallowing, inability to swallow saliva, persistent throat/chest/abdominal pain, vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, fever, abdominal distension, or breathing difficulty.
If a needle/sharp metal object was actually swallowed
Do not assume it will pass safely.
Some sharp objects may not be visible on X-ray.
If it is still in the esophagus → emergency removal.
If it is in the stomach or proximal duodenum → urgent assessment for endoscopic removal is generally recommended because of perforation risk.
If it has already moved into the intestine and is progressing normally, doctors may sometimes monitor it with serial imaging rather than remove it.
It generally does NOT “stay forever” inside the body, but rarely a sharp object can become lodged or perforate the bowel.
Next Steps
Get medical evaluation and X-ray/localization, even if there are no symptoms.
If you have any symptoms like abd pain , vomiting , aur any sensation in throat then you have to consult to doctors but mostly small substance will pass through stools only
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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