61yo Man Swallows Live Loach Fish To Cure Constipation

Story ByBuli LiangSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyAsia Wire Report

These images show the ruptured bowel of a man who ate a live loach fish to cure his constipation after reading the dubious advice online.

The unfortunate incident happened in the Caidian district of the city of Wuhan, in Hubei province, Central China.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

According to local media, the incident began when Mr Li was looking for solutions to his constipation problem.

He reportedly found an online article saying “swallowing loach (fish) has the function of solving constipation, reducing inflammation and relieving pain.”

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

He then went out to buy more than 10 live loaches from the market, according to reports.

After swallowing the first loach, he is said to have started experiencing a stomach ache.

A few minutes later, Mr Li was reportedly sweating and fidgeting and asked his family to take him to Wuhan No 4 Hospital.

Doctor Wang Hao checked Mr Li’s CT scan and confirmed the symptoms were caused by a gastrointestinal perforation. But even then, Mr Li did not want to tell the doctor what he had eaten.

Due to the urgent nature of the case, Dr Hao decided to carry out an exploratory laparotomy for Mr Li immediately.

During the operation, Dr Hao found that Mr Li’s oesophagus has a largely injured area, with a suppurative infection in his abdominal cavity. Supporation is the build-up of pus.

Dr Hao told local media: “During the operation, we removed a loach from Li’s abdominal cavity.”

He added: “There are many things that cause intestinal perforation. I have taken out things from other patients’ abdominal cavity such as fishbones, date nuclei and even toothpicks. This is the first time I have found a whole loach. Fortunately, Mr Li came to the hospital in time, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.”

Mr Li told local media: “I did not tell the doctor what I ate because I do not want people to laugh at my foolishness. Due to my own ignorance, I put my family and the doctor through so much trouble.”

Dr Hao commented saying: “Many superstitions are not only useless, but can also be harmful for your body. If you are feeling unwell, please come to hospital and talk to doctors.”

There are no updates on Mr Li’s condition.

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