What Happens if You Swallow Chewing Tobacco?

Swallowing chewing tobacco can lead to serious health problems, including:

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain

Headache

Dizziness

Confusion

Seizures

Coma

In some cases, swallowing chewing tobacco can even be fatal.

The Dangers of Swallowing Chewing Tobacco

Chewing tobacco contains a number of harmful chemicals, including nicotine, which can be toxic if swallowed.

Nicotine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and blood pressure. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Other harmful chemicals in chewing tobacco include:

Arsenic

Lead

Cadmium

Formaldehyde

Polonium-210

These chemicals can damage the digestive system, liver, kidneys, and lungs.

What to Do if You Swallow Chewing Tobacco

If you swallow chewing tobacco, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Do not induce vomiting.

Tell the doctor how much chewing tobacco you swallowed and when you swallowed it.

The doctor may give you activated charcoal to absorb the toxins in the chewing tobacco.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the dangers of swallowing chewing tobacco is to not use it in the first place.

If you do use chewing tobacco, be sure to spit it out and do not swallow it.

Keep chewing tobacco out of reach of children.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Chewing Tobacco

National Cancer Institute: Chewing Tobacco

American Lung Association: Chewing Tobacco

Stories

Story 1

A 15-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital after swallowing a large amount of chewing tobacco. He had been chewing tobacco for several years, and he thought it was cool. However, he did not realize how dangerous it could be.

The boy was treated with activated charcoal and fluids. He was released from the hospital after a few days, but he had to have his stomach pumped.

Benefit: The boy learned a valuable lesson about the dangers of swallowing chewing tobacco. He is now a non-smoker.

How to do: Talk to your children about the dangers of chewing tobacco. Let them know that it is not cool and that it can be very harmful.

Story 2

A 25-year-old man was diagnosed with oral cancer after years of chewing tobacco. He had been chewing tobacco since he was a teenager, and he thought it was a harmless habit. However, he was wrong.

The man underwent surgery to remove the cancer, but it was too late. The cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and lungs. He died a few months later.

Benefit: The man's story is a reminder that chewing tobacco can lead to serious health problems, including cancer.

How to do: If you are a chewer, quit now. There are many resources available to help you quit, including support groups and counseling.

Sections

Section 1: The Dangers of Swallowing Chewing Tobacco

In this section, we will discuss the health risks associated with swallowing chewing tobacco.

We will cover the following topics:

The harmful chemicals in chewing tobacco

The symptoms of swallowing chewing tobacco

The potential health consequences of swallowing chewing tobacco

Section 2: Prevention

In this section, we will discuss how to prevent the dangers of swallowing chewing tobacco.

We will cover the following topics:

Why it is important to not use chewing tobacco

How to spit out chewing tobacco

How to keep chewing tobacco out of reach of children

FAQs About “what happens if you swallow chewing tobacco”

1. What are the symptoms of swallowing chewing tobacco?

The symptoms of swallowing chewing tobacco can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, confusion, seizures, and coma.

2. What are the potential health consequences of swallowing chewing tobacco?

The potential health consequences of swallowing chewing tobacco include damage to the digestive system, liver, kidneys, and lungs.

3. How can I prevent the dangers of swallowing chewing tobacco?

The best way to prevent the dangers of swallowing chewing tobacco is to not use it in the first place. If you do use chewing tobacco, be sure to spit it out and do not swallow it.

4. What should I do if I swallow chewing tobacco?

If you swallow chewing tobacco, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

5. What are the benefits of quitting chewing tobacco?

The benefits of quitting chewing tobacco include reducing the risk of serious health problems, such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Symptom	Possible Health Consequences
Nausea	Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance
Vomiting	Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, esophageal damage
Diarrhea	Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, abdominal pain
Abdominal pain	Intestinal obstruction, perforation
Headache	Increased blood pressure, seizures, coma
Dizziness	Loss of balance, fainting
Confusion	Cognitive impairment, memory loss
Seizures	Brain damage, death
Coma	Death

Benefit	How to Do
Reduced risk of cancer	Quit chewing tobacco
Reduced risk of heart disease	Quit chewing tobacco
Reduced risk of stroke	Quit chewing tobacco
Improved oral health	Quit chewing tobacco
Improved lung health	Quit chewing tobacco
Increased energy levels	Quit chewing tobacco
Improved sleep quality	Quit chewing tobacco

What Happens if You Swallow Chewing Tobacco?