“What if ...” - many questions starting with such a phrase, as a rule, contain a crazy sequel. And the answer is “Nothing good will happen!” usually goes with any of them. Question: “If you swallow a needle, what will happen?” - also not an exception. By the way, even if he is not interested in everyone, he represents a certain amount of amusement. Well, the most curious ones are probably already impatient to find out the answer.
What can not be done?
This must be said first. So, if the needle somehow somehow got into the body, you need to minimize its motor activity. You need to lie on the bed and not get out of it until the doctors arrive. Why? This is where it is important to know the answer to the question of what will happen if you swallow a needle.
This metal object has a sharp end. And under the influence of gravity, the needle moves down. In fact, a sharp piece of metal can stick into a tendon or muscle. And it even sounds dangerous.
You can not cause vomiting either. The needle "rescue" out will not succeed. But internal organs can be damaged by its “movements”.
Some people think for some reason to knock on the chest and press on the stomach. It is also absolutely impossible to do this. As well as taking laxatives. You can only call the doctors and lie down - so you can do yourself a minimum of harm.
Harm from own hands
Many people are dismissive of the above tips. Well, then it does not hurt to talk about the consequences that may arise due to negligence to one's own health.
If, for example, a girl swallows the tip of a needle, and then decides to drink an emetic or laxative, then she can prepare for the worst. These drugs will not accelerate the process of removing the item from the body. They will move the needle, which will cause irreparable harm. In addition, damage to the gastrointestinal tract cannot be avoided.
Doesn’t lie in place? Well, this is an individual matter, but an active “calming” run provokes the advancement of the needle. In muscles and tendons, by the way, it can advance 10-20 centimeters.
And finally, about the heart. There the needle may well penetrate. First, it pierces the venous wall and enters the lumen of the blood vessel. Then, with the flow of fluid, it reaches the heart. Of course, this is unlikely. Most often, the needle just pierces a vein and gets stuck in the lumen. But such a consequence is also not a positive outlook.
Effects
And now - directly about what you can expect if you swallow a needle. What will happen? The worst consequence is getting this item into the lung. Or in the heart. If the doctor does not intervene on time, then a fatal outcome is possible. In the lungs, inflammation will occur, which most often leads to the loss of part of this organ. Fortunately, such cases are rare. Since the item is stuck in the throat or palate.
This is not all that can be expected if you swallow a needle. What will happen when the object penetrates into the stomach? In 80% of situations, the needle comes out with feces. But 20 percent of patients have to undergo surgery to remove it. And it is better for a person not to guess in which category of interest he was, but to contact a doctor right away. Since sometimes the needle pierces the intestine or even the stomach, which is fraught with peritonitis, infection.
However, this is not all that can be encountered if you swallow a needle. What will happen in other cases? Sometimes an item can settle in soft tissues. And in such situations, a person feels unpleasant aching pains. The needle must still be removed. Since over time, the rusting process will begin, which will provoke inflammation.
Extraction methods
So what to do if you swallow a needle? As already mentioned, wait for the doctors who will take the person to the gastroenterology department. There he will be sent for an x-ray, which will be carried out using a special contrast agent. However, there is nothing to worry about, since the integrity of the organism is at stake.
If the needle is found in the stomach, this is good. It will be removed through fibrogastroscopy. If it was prescribed, then the person will have to endure discomfort when the probe is inserted into the stomach. Was the needle in the intestines? So you have to tune in to the operation. Only in this way can it be extracted. Man can only hope that the search for the needle does not drag out. But the scar usually remains impressive.
Other cases
According to statistics, adults rarely swallow needles. Because for this you need to try! Such an accident is possible only if a person sewed something, tightened the thread and, for convenience, clamped the needle with his lips so that he would not hang out under his arms. And at that moment someone made him very laugh - so that he could not restrain himself, laughed and swallowed reflexively. More often than not, needles fall into children because they always pull everything in their mouths.
And with animals such a “nuisance” often happens. They need the same help as people. It is necessary to lead the pet to the veterinary clinic. There, the doctor will take an x-ray and decide what is needed - either an operation, or liquid paraffin and special enveloping cereals.
In the end
So, in general, it is clear what will happen if you swallow a needle. Photos that demonstrate the consequences are in the public domain - and this is an unpleasant sight. Therefore, you need to carefully handle this item and hide it - in order to avoid accidents.
However, for the sake of reassurance, it is worth noting that there is no information on any deaths that occurred after a swallowed needle. But you should not try your luck. If such a situation has happened, you need to call the doctors.