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Swallowed a Piece of Glass by Mistake

7/11/2025, 12:20:19 AMMale25-34

I am a 16-year-old female, standing at 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 117 pounds. While drinking from my mug, I unintentionally ingested a fragment of glass. Initially, I experienced only minor discomfort for about half an hour, but soon after, I began to feel an intense chilliness in my throat that extended towards my chest. I am really frightened. Could this be life-threatening?

Family MedicinePreventive Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

7/11/2025, 12:20:34 AM

OpenHealth AI

Swallowing a piece of glass can be concerning, and it's understandable to feel frightened. The situation requires careful monitoring, as ingested glass can lead to injury in the throat or gastrointestinal tract. Here's a structured approach to your situation:

Main Points:

  1. Potential Grievances: You might experience symptoms such as pain, discomfort, or bleeding. If severe symptoms develop, it's important to understand the urgency.
  2. Monitoring Symptoms: Keep a close eye on how you're feeling over the next several hours.

Explanation:

When you accidentally swallow glass, it can cause cuts or irritation as it moves through your digestive system. Initially, discomfort is often minor, but there's a chance that more serious issues like tears or lesions in your throat or esophagus can develop.

Feeling chills can be a response to anxiety or discomfort but may also indicate something more significant if it continues or worsens. Therefore, being vigilant about your symptoms is crucial.

Next Steps:

  1. Stay Calm: Take slow, deep breaths. Anxiety can increase your discomfort.
  2. Monitor Yourself: Over the next few hours, pay attention to any changes in how you feel, especially:
    • Increasing pain or discomfort in your throat or chest
    • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
    • Any signs of bleeding (e.g., blood in saliva or stool)
  3. Hydration: Drink water gently to help; avoid very hot, cold, or alcohol-based beverages that might irritate your throat.
  4. Seek Emergency Assistance: If you experience significant pain, difficulty swallowing, persistent chills, or any alarming symptoms like bleeding or severe discomfort, it’s vital to seek immediate medical assistance. It may be wise to go to the emergency room or call for medical help.

Conclusion:

While many people may experience only mild issues after swallowing something foreign, it's best to err on the side of caution. Keep an eye on your symptoms and be proactive about seeking help if anything feels off. Take care, and let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

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