It is very important to chew your food before swallowing it. A 51-year-old woman was rushed to the hospital after a chicken bone stuck in her buttocks.

Woman From Kuwait Hospitalized For Not Chewing Food

An unnamed woman from Kuwait in the Middle East accidentally swallowed a V-shaped chicken bone after not chewing her food properly. According to the doctors, she had a hard time eating because she lost her upper teeth, Daily Mail reported.

She didn't experience choking or stomach pain after ingesting the bone. However, she had trouble when she later tried to use the toilet because the chicken bone was stuck in her backside.

The X-ray at the hospital revealed that the V-shaped bone stuck out of her anus. It was two inches long and an inch wide, with the shorter part of the V projecting outside her anus.

The bone, known as a xiphoid process, is found in chickens near the rib cage and sits at the lower end of the sternum.

The doctors applied gel to numb the area before applying a slight force to remove the bone. The patient was advised to chew her food properly.

The story was shared in the medical journal Cureus.

Doctors Warned About Chicken Bones And Not Chewing Food

The Doctors said it was the first case when the chicken bone reached the anus, with the patient not experiencing any complications.

The patient reportedly had a history of chronic constipation about three times a week; internal piles and anal fissures or small tears in the anus were observed.

The doctors believed it was due to her habit of swallowing food without chewing it properly.

The doctors also warned that chicken bones, when swallowed, could cause cuts to the throat or puncture holes in the intestine, and patients may need urgent care.

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Why Do You Need to Chew Your Food?

Many enjoy eating but don't take the time to chew their food. However, chewing is the first step in digestion and is very important, according to Intestinal Labs.

Chewing helps the stomach metabolize food by breaking larger food particles into smaller fragments. It also increases saliva production, allowing you to swallow without aggravating the esophagus.

Also, it can reduce the risk of bacterial growth and increase fermentation in the gut. When food is not chewed properly, it can cause bacterial overgrowth in the colon and may lead to indigestion, bloating flatulence, and constipation.

According to studies, food should be chewed 32 times. Foods that are harder to chew, such as steak and nuts, may need up to 40 chews per mouthful. Soft foods like mashed potato and watermelon can get away with 5 to 10 chews.

According to Opex, the goal when chewing is to grind whatever you are eating into a fine paste. It suggests chewing until the food is liquified or has lost all of its texture.

You should swallow completely before taking another bite of food or wait to drink fluids until you've swallowed.

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