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Chewing gum is liked by almost all ages, children and adults alike. Chewing gum is meant to be chewed and not swallowed. However, sometimes you can accidentally swallow it. Although not dangerous, ingested gum cannot be digested properly by the body. Chewing gum won't get stuck in your stomach for years, but instead passes through the feces. So, what should you do if you accidentally swallow gum?
Swallowing gum isn't dangerous but…
Chewing gum is not dangerous. Swallowed gum will not stay in the stomach. Chewing gum will continue to travel through the digestive tract and will pass through the feces. However, the process did take several days.
Also, in very rare cases, chewing gum while you are constipated can clog your intestines. Especially if you are swallowed chewing gum in large quantities or often. This can make it more difficult for you to have a bowel movement. This blockage also usually occurs when chewing gum is swallowed with a foreign object such as coins or when it is swallowed with something that is difficult to digest.
Therefore, try not to swallow gum. Also keep chewing gum away from your child until he understands that gum should not be swallowed.
What to do when chewing gum?
Have you ever accidentally swallowed gum? Some people may say yes. What were you doing at that time? You may immediately panic and feel choked and like something is stuck in your throat.
If you have this, what to do? Don't panic, remember that the gum won't settle in your stomach. The gum will stick out with your stool. Do not attempt to regurgitate swallowed gum by scraping your throat.
After you accidentally swallow gum, drink water immediately. Drink plenty of water so that your throat feels more comfortable and doesn't close it, making you choke.
Do you need to see a doctor? It shouldn't, because the gum will travel through the digestive tract like regular food. However, if you swallow large amounts of gum or other indigestible objects, this can cause blockages. If this happens, you may need surgery to remove it from your digestive tract.
The symptoms of a blockage usually include abdominal pain and constipation, sometimes accompanied by vomiting. If you have these symptoms after swallowing gum, see a doctor immediately.
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