March 23 news - Fish lovers have likely experienced a fish bone getting stuck in their throat. And many will try to dislodge it by eating bread, drinking vinegar or other methods, which are actually not advisable.
According to reports, Mr. Yang was in the Caribbean on business, and since there was an abundance of seafood, he ate a lot of fish. Unfortunately, he accidentally swallowed a fish bone which caused a perforation in his esophagus and an infection in his lungs.
He then underwent six surgeries in multiple hospitals, even having his esophagus removed, but the problem was not resolved. In great pain, he lost 130 pounds, becoming emaciated.
Out of desperation, he returned to Shanghai for medical treatment, and after receiving systematic treatment, Mr. Yang was finally able to eat and speak normally again.
Doctors explained that fish bones can get stuck in the throat easily when people talk and eat at the same time, and it is more common in children and the elderly. If a fish bone does get stuck, it is important not to try to remove it by squeezing, swallowing or drinking water, as this will not only be ineffective, but may also cause further damage.
In earlier news reports, a 54-year-old man who had a fish bone stuck in his throat tried to remove it by pressing down on it repeatedly, but this caused a blood clot in his carotid artery, leading to an acute ischemic stroke. This happened because the man had high blood pressure and smoked, which contributed to the plaque dislodging.
Trying to remove a fish bone by swallowing food, vomiting or inducing vomiting is not only ineffective, but will also increase pressure in the area, potentially causing the bone to become more deeply lodged, making it more difficult to remove. It can also scratch the esophagus and blood vessels, leading to serious consequences such as infection and bleeding.
As for drinking vinegar, which is often recommended by the elderly, it is also ineffective. Studies have shown that in order to soften fish bones, they must be soaked in 2% acetic acid for 60 minutes, and then heated at 120℃ for another 60 minutes.
When we drink vinegar, it only passes through the throat briefly, so it has no effect at all. Furthermore, vinegar that is too concentrated or acidic can damage the esophagus and stomach lining, aggravating the injury.
Therefore, if you have a fish bone stuck in your throat and cannot spit it out yourself, you should seek medical attention immediately.
