What Happens If You Swallow Glass?
- Fysiobasen
- 1d
- 3 min read
Swallowing glass sounds dramatic — and it is.
Although it may seem like an extreme accident or something that only happens under special circumstances (for example, during a mental health episode or an accident), it does occur.
In such cases, glass ingestion is a true medical emergency.
How dangerous it becomes depends on the size, shape, and sharpness of the glass, but in all situations, it must be taken seriously.
What Happens When You Swallow Glass?
When glass is swallowed, it follows the same path as regular food — through the throat, esophagus, stomach, and into the intestines.
However, unlike food, glass has no smooth surface and cannot be broken down by the body.
Sharp or jagged fragments can cause significant injury along the way.
Benefits of Quick Medical Intervention
Prevents internal bleeding and perforation of the intestines or esophagus
Increases the likelihood of safe removal before serious complications develop
Reduces the risk of infection and peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining)
Dangers of Waiting or Ignoring Symptoms
Choosing to “wait and see” is highly dangerous.
Glass shards can migrate through the digestive tract and puncture the intestinal wall without immediate symptoms, leading to severe or life-threatening complications hours or days later.
What Determines How Dangerous It Is?
Size of the Glass Pieces
Large, sharp fragments carry a higher risk of perforation or tearing the intestinal wall.
Small, smooth pieces may sometimes pass through naturally without injury.
Number of Pieces
The more glass fragments swallowed, the greater the chance that at least one will cause complications.
Shape and Edges
Broken drinking glasses often have irregular, jagged edges that can easily cut into the lining of the esophagus or intestines.
How Far the Glass Has Traveled
The potential for injury is highest in the esophagus and small intestine, which are more prone to perforation than the stomach.
Common Symptoms After Swallowing Glass
Pain in the throat, chest, or abdomen
Difficulty swallowing or the feeling that something is stuck
Blood in saliva or stool
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and fatigue (from infection or perforation)
Rapid heart rate and low blood pressure (from internal bleeding)
Possible Complications
Tears in the Esophagus or Stomach
These injuries can cause internal bleeding, infection, or leakage of stomach contents into the abdominal cavity.
Intestinal Perforation
A life-threatening condition that can lead to acute peritonitis, requiring emergency surgery.
Sepsis (Blood Poisoning)
Occurs when bacteria leak into the abdominal cavity or bloodstream.
Abscess Formation
A localized pocket of infection within the abdomen.
Bowel Obstruction
If glass becomes lodged or causes swelling, it can block intestinal flow.
How Doctors Diagnose and Treat Glass Ingestion
X-Ray or CT Scan
Most glass is visible on X-ray or CT imaging, though not always detectable on ultrasound.
Endoscopy
If the glass is in the esophagus or stomach, doctors can often remove it safely using a flexible endoscope inserted through the mouth.
Surgical Intervention
If the glass has moved further or caused damage, laparoscopic or open surgery may be required to remove fragments and repair any perforation.
Observation and Fasting
When the glass is small, smooth, and already in the intestines, doctors may choose to monitor the patient closely with repeated X-rays and stool checks until it passes naturally.
Is Surgery Always Necessary?
Not necessarily.
If the glass is small, round, and not causing symptoms, it may pass naturally through the intestines under strict hospital observation.
Patients must remain admitted for monitoring, and all stools are checked until the glass has exited the body.
Children and Mental Health Cases
Swallowing foreign objects, including glass, is more common in certain groups:
Young children who explore the world orally
Individuals with developmental disabilities
Patients with self-harm behavior or psychiatric disorders
In these cases, caregivers and clinicians should maintain a low threshold for seeking emergency medical care.
Summary
Swallowing glass is dangerous and can cause serious injuries to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Even small fragments can lead to major complications if sharp or irregularly shaped.
Every case should be treated as an acute emergency, requiring immediate medical evaluation.
With prompt treatment, the prognosis is often good — but delaying care can result in life-threatening consequences.
Sources
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Webb WA. (1995). Management of foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract: update. Gastrointest Endosc, 41(1):39–51.
Palta R, et al. (2009). Foreign-body ingestion: characteristics and outcomes in a lower socioeconomic population with predominantly intentional ingestion. Gastrointest Endosc, 69(3 Pt 1):426–433.
Velitchkov NG, Grigorov GI, Losanoff JE, Kjossev KT. (1996). Ingested foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract: retrospective analysis of 542 cases. World J Surg, 20(8):1001–1005.
Eisen GM, Baron TH, Dominitz JA, et al. (2002). Guidelines for the management of ingested foreign bodies. Gastrointest Endosc, 55(7):802–806.
