Swallowed Objects: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Have you had any changes in your bowel movements after swallowing an object?

See significance of changes in bowel movements if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had a bowel movement that is mostly blood?

Yes

Have you had 2 or more bowel movements where less than half of the stool is blood?

Yes

Have you had 2 or more tarry bowel movements?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had 1 tarry bowel movement?

Yes

Have you had 1 bowel movement where less than half of the stool looks bloody?

Yes

Do you have bleeding from the rectum that is turning the toilet water red?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had new diarrhea or constipation for 3 days or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	October 05, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer