By Dr S P Pradhan on 16th July 2023
Fish bone sometimes stuck in throat can cause panic situation leading to health emergency.
Fish bones due to their unusual shape stuck in upper digestive tract.
Risk factors.
Children usually below 8 years having inexperience in fish intake usually susceptible to fish bone stuck in throat or oesophagus. They don’t have experience in fish intake are very prone to swallow small fish bones. Older adults having few teeth may experience similar situation. Other risk factors are alcohol intake which reduces the sense may have such problems. Alcohol depress the mental ability to judge the danger of fish bones along with suppressed sensational awareness.
Symptoms of Fish bone stuck in Throat
Pain in throat, tingling sensation, drooling of saliva, sensation of something stuck in throat. Pin grip like sensation decrease the intake of food. Sometimes the retained bone may cause abscess which may require surgical drainage.
Home remedies
Some home remedies can be tried before the physician deal with the problem. They are may not be the best solutions but can be tried on emergency basis to reduce the panicness.
1. Banana- Banana soaked saliva in throat can be gulped after two to three minutes can dislodge the fish bone.
2. Coughing- Coughing sometimes loosen the the grip of the bone removing it from the mouth.
3. Olive oil- One tablespoon of olive oil can dislodge the fish bone with its viscosity.
4. Soda- Soda producing gases move the fish bone downward to digestive tract.
5. Bread with milk- It can be used to dislodge the entangled fish bone.
Referral to Physician
Difficult cases are referred to physician. Physicians use endoscope to see the clear view of throat. The ENT specialist use special instruments to remove the fish bones. Uncooperative patients may require anaesthesia to remove the foreign body.
