Nearly 300,000 Americans go to ER every year to remove ‘foreign objects’ from strange places
Foreign objects in the body is a curious and somewhat confusing category in the realm of accidental injuries. Surprisingly, almost 300,000 American adults seek emergency room treatment every year for incidents involving foreign objects in their bodies. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks this phenomenon as the ninth leading cause of unintentional injuries requiring hospitalization.
In 2021, there were an astounding 277,922 emergency room visits specifically related to foreign objects in the body. These incidents encompass a wide range of objects, from unusual items like plastic swords and glow sticks stuck in ears, to magnets and diesel fuel stuck in noses. It is even astonishing to find objects such as steak knives and video game controllers lodged in people’s throats. Interestingly, these incidents are not limited to a particular gender; men have had instances involving car keys and USB cords stuck in their genitals, while women sought medical assistance for items like soap bars and spatulas lodged in their vaginas. Notably, a recent study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine revealed that approximately 4,000 people are hospitalized each year due to foreign objects in their rectums.
These incidents come at a substantial financial cost. Personal injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates state that the average hospital bill for such incidents in 2021 was $5,000. This highlights the financial burden placed on individuals and the healthcare system.
What makes these incidents even more remarkable is the wide array of objects involved. More than half of the objects found lodged in the body are sex toys, such as vibrators and anal beads. However, this category also includes items like marbles, bottles, and other debris, raising questions about the motivations and circumstances surrounding these incidents.
To better comprehend the significance of these incidents, it is crucial to consider that “foreign object in body” ranks as the ninth leading cause of unintentional injuries requiring hospitalization. In comparison, accidental falls hold the top spot with a staggering 5.6 million incidents annually and an average treatment cost of $8,204. Involuntary poisoning is the second most common cause.
In conclusion, the presence of foreign objects in the body, while peculiar and sometimes baffling, poses a significant issue. The statistics shed light on the various objects that end up in unexpected places. This article seeks to provide insight into this peculiar phenomenon, emphasizing its impact and the financial burden it places on individuals and the healthcare system. The lesson here is apparent: it is important to exercise caution and curiosity within reasonable limits to avoid becoming a part of these astonishing statistics.
