Swallowed gum, how to get it out?

Chewing gum is a favorite distraction activity for most people to get rid of sleepiness. Others may choose to chew gum to get rid of cigarette cravings or prevent stomach acid from rising. However, what happens if you swallow chewing gum whole? Is there a way to get it out?

How dangerous is it if you swallow chewing gum?

During this time, you may have assumed that the gum you swallow will stick to your stomach forever. The more often you swallow the gum, the more it will stick and accumulate so that it eventually covers the stomach. Hiiiyyy… Scary, huh?

Yet the reality is not like that. Chewing gum cannot be broken down and digested by the body like rice, but it can still be removed.

When you swallow it, the gum will move from the stomach to the intestines like any other food but remain intact. In the intestine, the whole gum will join with the feces, and eventually thrown out through the anus when you defecate.

An easy way to remove swallowed gum

After reading the explanation above, there is no need to be afraid to imagine that your stomach will be sticky and covered in gum. Swallowed gum may be removed, but it may take longer than normal food.

Generally, chewing gum can come out naturally about 1-4 days after being ingested (not 7 years as rumors say in the community). But is there a way to speed it up?

1. Drink lots of water

Drink lots of water to facilitate bowel movements so that swallowed gum can quickly come out. However, as much as possible avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee and energy drinks which can actually make constipation.

2. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Choose foods that don't cause you constipation, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that are high in fiber. Fiber intake can help improve digestion.

Some foods that you can consume to facilitate bowel movements are avocado, apples, pears, bananas, broccoli, carrots, spinach, kidney beans, oats, yogurt, and brown rice.

Alternatively, you can drink fruit juice or pure vegetable juice without sugar (can be replaced with natural sweeteners such as honey or vanilla extract).

3. Sports

The more you exercise regularly, the smoother the blood circulation in the body, including the digestive system. If the blood circulation in the digestive system is smooth, the stomach will increase the production of digestive enzymes. The intestines will also contract more easily, moving the stool up to the anus for removal.

In addition, regular exercise also helps the body control the production of the hormone progesterone, which can trigger constipation. Decreasing levels of the hormone progesterone can help improve the movement of food in your intestines.

You can try easy cardio exercises such as a 30 minute brisk walk, jogging, swimming, to yoga.

What if it doesn't come out too?

It is very rare for the gum to fail to come out naturally. If it is difficult to pass, you may be able to "help" smooth bowel movements by taking laxatives.

Even so, it is noted in rare cases that ingested gum can cause blockage of the digestive tract.

The symptoms that may appear if you have intestinal obstruction are:

• Chronic constipation, accompanied by frequent abdominal cramps
• Can't pass wind
• Don't feel hungry
• Throws up
• There may be swelling of the stomach

Intestinal blockage due to swallowing gum may occur if you are constipated from the start, have swallowed a lot of gum, or are swallowed at the same time as other foods that are difficult to digest.

If you experience symptoms of intestinal obstruction, see a doctor immediately. At this point your doctor may recommend surgery to remove gum and other objects that are causing blockages in your stomach. However, this procedure will be performed if your body is in good health.

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