A foreign body in the throat describes an object that does not belong in the throat. This includes any wanted or unwanted object stuck in the throat. A foreign body stuck in the throat can cause serious problems, for example, apnea. When a foreign body is stuck in the throat, it is recommended to do the Heimlich maneuver and, if possible, to try to hook it out from the mouth or throat with the fingers. If the stuck foreign body cannot be removed immediately, then instant medical treatment is necessary.
A foreign body in the throat happens when an object is put or stuck inside the throat accidentally or voluntarily. A foreign body means anything that is not supposed to be in the throat, for example, food, coins, marbles, pins, buttons, insects and even vomit. A foreign body stuck in the throat can happen to people at any age, but especially to children.
Small pieces of food, toys, pins, dirt and other tiny materials are often the common objects that are swallowed or stuck inside the throat. Sometimes when people are unconscious, vomit, blood, or some fluid can also block the throat. Such an accident can happen to people at any age; however, children have a higher risk of being affected due to their curiosity. A foreign body in the throat can cause: 1) Damage to the throat: if there is a foreign body stuck in the throat, it may damage the mucous membrane of the throat due to sharp edges or pressure. As a result, it may cause symptoms such as bleeding, pain, fierce coughing, and difficulty in swallowing, breathing and talking. 2) Obstruction of the airway: when there is a foreign body stuck in the throat, it can cause an obstruction of the airway. People then may respond with coughing and difficulty in breathing. Furthermore, if the foreign body cannot be removed, it may lead to loss of consciousness or apnea.
The treatment of a foreign body stuck in the throat is mainly to remove the lodged object as soon as possible. The Heimlich maneuver is the first aid needed in such a situation. The applied pressure on the abdomen will increase the air pressure in the lungs and airways, which hopefully will clear the airways. Also the mouth and throat should be checked for an object that may be able to be removed manually. If it is too difficult to force the foreign body out, then it is strongly recommended to seek prompt medical help. In severe cases, surgery to remove the stuck object is necessary.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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