In our daily life, it is always pleasant to enjoy a delicious fish feast, but if the fish bone accidentally gets stuck in the throat, the panic and pain of the moment can be devastating. In the face of such a sudden accident, many people's first reaction may be to quickly swallow a mouthful of rice or drink some vinegar, hoping to "swallow" the fish bone.
But did you know that these traditional "dirt methods" may not only not help, but can make the situation worse. Today, let's talk about how to deal with fish bones when they are really stuck in the throat.
1. Common symptoms and risks of fish bones stuck in the throat
No one wants to experience a "foreign body sensation in the throat" when tasting food, a tingling sensation and a foreign body sensation that makes people want to cough and swallow involuntarily. If the fish bones aren't stuck deeply, you may just feel a little discomfort in your throat;
But if the fish bone is stuck deeply, or if it is a large or hard spine, the pain may make you unable to make a sound.
What's more, if not handled properly, fish bones can puncture the mucous membrane of the throat and even cause bleeding, infection, and in severe cases, damage to important structures in the esophagus or larynx, causing long-term health problems.
2. Why the folk "local method" is not advisable
Speaking of which, some people may ask, "Doesn't swallowing rice bring fish bones down, and doesn't drinking vinegar soften fish bones?" These statements may sound plausible, but in reality, these methods are not so reliable.
The idea of swallowing rice is to push the fish bones into the stomach with the texture of the food, but if the fish bones are too large or stuck too deep, not only will swallowing rice not help to expel the fish bones, but may cause the fish bones to pierce deeper due to the pressure of the rice balls.
As for drinking vinegar, although acetic acid has a certain softening effect on calcium carbonate, this requires acetic acid to be able to fully contact the fish bones, and in fact, vinegar is difficult to stay in the throat, so the effect is minimal. What's more, drinking a lot of vinegar may cause irritation to the gastric mucosa and bring new problems.
3. The first step to correctly deal with fish bones stuck in the throat
When a fish bone gets stuck in the throat, the first self-help measure is to stop eating to avoid further irritation of the throat and to prevent the fish bone from becoming further embedded.
A slight cough may help expose or detach the bones, but this needs to be done with caution. Coughing too hard can move the fish bones to more difficult locations to handle or even cause trauma. Staying calm is crucial during this process, as panic can lead to overreaction and make it more difficult to deal with.
According to the Journal of Emergency Medicine, a mild cough is an effective way to help yourself, but it is only indicated if the fish bones are shallow and do not cause severe symptoms.
If the bones do not fall off after coughing, or if symptoms worsen, such as difficulty breathing, persistent severe pain, stop trying to self immediately and seek medical help.
Fourth, the scientific treatment of cough is ineffective
If coughing attempts don't work, the exact location of the bones can't be determined, or the pain worsens, trying to cause vomiting on its own may be an option. During vomiting, the muscles of the larynx contract violently and may help expel the fish bones.
However, vomiting is not safe in all cases, especially if the fish bones have already caused mucosal damage, and a strong vomiting action may exacerbate the injury.
In a study published in the International Journal of Otolaryngology, scientists noted that vomiting should be used as an emergency measure in cases where there are no other options, and that the location and size of the fish bones should be determined as much as possible before implementation.
This method can be risky if the bones are deep or large. Before vomiting, you can try gently touching your throat with your fingers, and if you can touch the bones, it may be safer to get it moving. However, if it is not done properly, it can also lead to mucosal damage or further embedding of the fish bones.
In all cases, you should go to the hospital immediately if self-help measures are ineffective or if symptoms worsen. Medical professionals have more precise tools and techniques to effectively remove fish bones while controlling risk.
According to the statistics of the Chinese Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the vast majority of cases of fish bone entrapment can be properly resolved under the treatment of professional medical personnel.
5. The professional method of dealing with fish bones stuck in the throat in hospitals
Once you have decided to go to the hospital, you will be professionally evaluated by your doctor. Your doctor may first use a laryngoscope or fiberscope to see the exact location and condition of the fish bones.
This type of endoscopy allows for precise positioning of the fish bones to guide subsequent treatment. In the Journal of Clinical Otolaryngology, a study has shown that the success rate of fibroscopy in the case of fish bone entrapment is as high as 95%.
If the bones are shallow, your doctor may use tweezers or a special hook to remove them. This needs to be done under local anesthesia to alleviate the patient's discomfort.
In some cases, minor surgery under general anesthesia may be required to remove the fish bones if they are stuck deeply. According to the journal Advances in Head and Neck Surgery, minimally invasive surgical approaches can significantly reduce tissue damage and postoperative recovery time when dealing with deeply embedded fish bones.
6. Postoperative precautions and preventive measures
After the fish bones are removed, the doctor will treat the wound appropriately to prevent infection and give some post-operative precautions. As stated in the Journal of Practical Medicine, patients may need to take antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections caused by fish bones.
At the same time, the doctor will also advise the patient to avoid eating irritating food for a short period of time to avoid irritating the throat that has just been injured.
In order to prevent the recurrence of fish bones stuck in the throat, the most effective way is to take proper precautions when eating fish. For example, choose fish species with fewer spines, chew slowly when eating fish, and try to avoid talking or distractions.
The journal Family Doctor advises that children and older people should be more cautious because they may not feel the fish bones easily or may not react quickly enough.
summary
When you encounter a fish bone stuck in your throat, the correct thing to do is to try a mild cough first, if it doesn't work, stay calm, avoid actions that may exacerbate the situation, and seek professional medical help in time.
With the professional management of the doctor and the proper care after the surgery, we can solve this problem effectively. At the same time, by taking proper precautions, we can try to avoid this happening and enjoy every meal safely.