A man in China found himself in an embarrassing and painful situation after turning to a bizarre home remedy for constipation. The 2025 incident, which involved a 15-centimeter cucumber, underscores the serious health risks associated with unverified medical advice and has sparked widespread discussion online. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Constipation in Hong Kong
Constipation is a prevalent issue for many urban dwellers, and Hong Kong is no exception. Data from the Hospital Authority indicates that the condition affects 14.3% of community-dwelling adults and 12.2% of primary school students. While it’s a common problem, medical professionals urge the public to seek proper treatment rather than relying on unproven folk remedies.
The Incident: A Cucumber Gets Stuck
The unusual case occurred in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. On March 27, 2025, a man visited the Anorectal Department of Yangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain and a heavy, sinking feeling in his lower abdomen.
According to Dr. Chen Xiao, the attending physician, the patient was initially hesitant and evasive during the consultation. Under gentle but persistent questioning, the man, a self-professed sufferer of chronic constipation—blamed on a diet of fried chicken and late-night gaming—admitted to using an unconventional “cure” the previous evening. He had followed advice found online, believing that inserting a whole cucumber into his rectum would stimulate a bowel movement. The plan went terribly wrong when the cucumber slipped from his grasp and became lodged inside him.
After a night of futile attempts to remove the vegetable himself, the man sought medical help. A CT scan revealed a long, column-like foreign object in his rectum and sigmoid colon. Fortunately, the object was located just 5 cm from the anus. Dr. Chen successfully retrieved the 15 cm-long cucumber in a 20-minute non-surgical procedure using a soft forceps after administering anesthesia to relax the patient’s sphincter muscle. The man was kept under observation but is expected to make a full recovery.
The Dangers of Rectal Foreign Objects
Dr. Chen explained that such cases are not uncommon and serve as a stark warning. The anatomy of the anal canal and rectum is designed to prevent large objects from passing through. A sphincter muscle contracts, meaning that any object introduced becomes a foreign body that can easily travel upward instead of out.
Medical risks include:
- Minor trauma: Tearing and bleeding of the rectal mucosa, or anal fissures.
- Incontinence: Loss of bowel control due to sphincter damage.
- Severe complications: Perforation of the rectum or colon, leading to peritonitis, a life-threatening abdominal infection, or even death.
Doctor’s Advice: Prevention is Better Than a Cure
The key takeaway from this incident is the critical importance of consulting a doctor for a condition like constipation. Instead of risking personal injury, individuals are urged to manage the problem through lifestyle adjustments, including a high-fiber diet, regular exercise, and adequate hydration.
For those seeking relief from constipation, safe options include:
- Increasing daily water intake.
- Incorporating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into meals.
- Not ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement.
While this story has a comical edge, it underscores a serious medical truth: when it comes to health complaints, a qualified professional is always the safest and most effective first step. Don’t put your body on the line for a “cure” you found on the internet.