A tube of fibre 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
I am doctor, and want to write describing an experience while I was in the ER in my residency.
One morning a woman walked into the ER complaining of trouble swallowing. It appeared that she took a fibre supplement every morning to help with constipation. Normally she would mix it in with water, and drink the solution down. That morning, she decided to gulp down the powder, and to wash it down with water. She did the part, and found that the powder got stuck in her throat, so she tried washing it down with water. Soon, she was having trouble swallowing anything at all, and was drooling because even her saliva was not going in.
We performed an endoscopy, and found that the fibre had taken up water, swelled up, and taken up the shape of the esophagus. The gastroenterologist pulled out a fibre 'snake' from her. She felt fine after that; as she left, we gave her a part of her 'snake'.
Had this happened where there was no access to medical care, she would have quickly died of dehydration, and then, would have meritted a Darwin award.
I do not know if this story fulfills the criteria to be here, but is certainly amusing enough to be of mention.
Thanks. Submitted on 06/08/2003
Submitted by:
Ravi D Rao, MD
Reference:
none
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