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During the Chinese New Year, fish is often regarded as a symbol of good luck, representing "more than enough every year". While enjoying the delicious taste, fish bones stuck in the throat are a risk that should not be overlooked.
Common conditions and risks of fish bones getting stuck in the throat
Fish bones getting stuck in the throat usually occurs when an improperly handled fillet is swallowed during eating. In particular, some small, hard fish bones are easy to inadvertently pierce the throat. Such accidents are more common in older adults and children, who are at relatively high risk because they may have weaker chewing abilities and swallowing reflexes.
The immediate consequences of a fish bone stuck in the throat include pain, a foreign body sensation in the throat, and difficulty swallowing. If not handled properly, fish bones can also puncture the soft tissues of the throat, causing infections and even more serious airway obstruction. Clinical data have shown that fish bones that remain in place for a long time may lead to persistent inflammation and even the formation of chronic purulent infection.
Methods and consequences of mishandling fish bones
In daily life, some traditional but non-scientific methods of fish bone handling are widely circulated, such as swallowing large amounts of rice, drinking vinegar, or using tools such as fingers to try to hook out fish bones. Not only are these methods not necessarily effective, but they may actually aggravate the damage.
The purpose of swallowing large amounts of white rice is to hopefully use the volume of the food to push the fish bones into the stomach. This practice often does not ensure that the bones pass through the esophagus unharmed, and can result in punctures or scratches to the wall of the esophagus due to the improper orientation or placement of the bones.
Drinking vinegar is thought to soften fish bones, but acetic acid has very limited softening effect on fish bones, and acidic liquids may irritate the throat and increase discomfort.
Wrong treatment methods not only fail to effectively solve the problem, but may also lead to serious consequences such as esophagitis and even perforation of the esophagus, which require urgent medical intervention.
Scientific and safe methods of fish bone treatment
When a fish bone gets stuck in the throat, staying calm is a top priority. The right thing to do is to seek medical help as soon as possible. While waiting for medical help, there are a few safety steps you can take to reduce your symptoms:
Avoid additional swallowing maneuvers, as repeated swallowing may allow the fish bones to become further embedded in the soft tissues.
Do not attempt to remove the bones on your own with your hands or other tools, as this is likely to cause more damage.
If you have trouble breathing or have severe pain, you should call the emergency services immediately.
In hospitals, doctors may use specialized equipment such as endoscopes to safely remove fish bones visually, which is accurate and low-risk. For conditions that have already caused an infection, the doctor will also prescribe antibiotic treatment.
Precautions and recommendations for fish selection
While enjoying the Chinese New Year fish feast, choosing the right fish and adopting the appropriate way to eat it is essential to avoid fish bones getting stuck in the throat.
It is advisable to choose fish with few spines or large spines that are easy to remove, such as sea bass, cod, etc., which have large bones and are relatively easy to handle, reducing the risk of accidental swallowing. Proper disposal of fish bones, such as the complete removal of fish bones with professional kitchen utensils, is an effective way to prevent fish bones from getting stuck in the throat.
During cooking, the fish is cut into small pieces and carefully deboned, especially when preparing food for children or the elderly. It is also important to educate family members on the proper way to eat fish, such as using chopsticks and spoons to avoid swallowing whole pieces, which can greatly reduce the risk of food getting stuck in the throat.
Popular science on the relationship between dietary habits and acute illnesses
Overeating during the festive season is a common health problem, especially when overeating can lead to acute conditions such as acute pancreatitis and acute heart failure.
Just as excessive consumption of glutinous rice products during the Lantern Festival may cause acute diseases, excessive consumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods during the Chinese New Year should also be noted.
Acute pancreatitis is caused by excessive secretion of pancreatic hormones and digestion of the pancreas itself, while acute heart failure may be caused by excessive diet and increased burden on the heart.
Experts point out that eating in moderation and choosing healthy cooking methods, such as steaming and boiling instead of frying, can be effective in reducing these health risks.
Maintaining a moderate diet not only helps prevent acute illnesses, but also helps maintain long-term cardiovascular health and digestive stability.
Food safety tips for the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that people like to eat to celebrate. Glutinous rice foods like Lantern Festival, while delicious, are high in sugar and calories that can be a challenge for people with certain health conditions, especially for diabetics and digestive disorders.
Diabetics should pay special attention to controlling their intake of glutinous rice foods in case of a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.
For people with digestive problems, such as patients with peptic ulcers, eating Lantern Festival may exacerbate the condition, because glutinous rice is not easy to digest and may increase the burden on the stomach and intestines. Medical experts recommend that people with these health problems should choose foods that are easy to digest, low in sugar and fat, and try to avoid too many holiday foods.
Whether it's the Chinese New Year or the Lantern Festival, reasonable eating habits and food choices are essential for health. While enjoying traditional food, eating in moderation and science will make the festival healthier and more enjoyable.
With these specific advice and expertise, it is hoped that every family can enjoy every traditional festival safely and healthily.
Finally, do you have any experiences and opinions that you would like to share?