When a piece of popcorn that stuck in man's tooth led him to open-heart surgery
London, Jan 10: Everyone enjoys eating popcorn. However, when the corn kernel gets stuck in your teeth, it is usually just an annoyance, but it nearly cost a 41-year-old UK man his life. He had a heart infection that required to undego an open-heart surgery.
Martin, a 41-year-old firefighter, was watching a movie with his wife when the popcorn husk popcorn husk got wedged in his gums and teeth on the left side of his mouth, irritating him for three days, the news outlet reported, irritating him for three days.
He used every possible thing he could find like toothpicks, a pen cap, a piece of wire and even a nail, with hopes of removing the popcorn stuck in between his teeth. As he was trying to remove the food, Martin damaged his surrounding gum.
A week later, Martin began suffering from fatigue, night sweats, and headaches, which he initially thought were signs of the flu but would later find out that they were signs of endocarditis, which is the infection of the endocardium.
What
is
Endocarditis?
Endocarditis
usually
occurs
when
germs
from
elsewhere
in
the
body
travel
through
the
blood
and
attach
to
damaged
areas
of
the
heart.
People
with
damaged
or
artificial
heart
valves
or
other
heart
conditions
are
most
at
risk.
The infection happens when the bacteria from the mouth, skin, intestines, and other areas of the body.
According to reports, an open-heart surgery replaced his aortic valve, repaired his mitral valve and treated an abscess, the local outlets reported.
How
to
prevent
it?
Know
the
signs
and
symptoms
of
endocarditis.
See
your
doctor
immediately
if
you
develop
any
signs
or
symptoms,
especially
a
fever
that
won't
go
away,
unexplained
fatigue,
any
type
of
skin
infection,
or
open
cuts
or
sores
that
don't
heal
properly.
Pay special attention to your dental health - brush and floss your teeth and gums often, and have regular dental checkups.
Preventive
antibiotics
For
some
people
with
heart
disease
or
damaged
or
diseased
heart
valves,
taking
antibiotics
before
these
procedures
can
help
destroy
or
control
the
harmful
bacteria
that
may
lead
to
endocarditis.