In an almost unbelievable case, a man’s health problems left doctors stunned when the true cause was revealed. Though indigestion is common, no one could have guessed what this patient from India was experiencing. After complaining of post-meal indigestion, a three-centimeter live cockroach was discovered inside the 23-year-old’s body.
The man, suspecting the issue stemmed from street food he’d eaten at a recent night market, was astonished to learn that the insect was alive. However, his gastroenterologist proposed another possibility—that the cockroach might have crawled down his throat while he was asleep.
Dr. Shubham Vatsya, a senior gastroenterology consultant, shared details about the unusual case and removal procedure. “We were surprised to find the cockroach intact,” he told the Indian Express. “For several days, the patient experienced bloating and indigestion. During routine checks, we unexpectedly found the cockroach.”
To remove the insect, doctors performed an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a procedure used to investigate the cause of stomach pain. Dr. Vatsya explained, “Using the suction on the scope, we managed to pull the cockroach into the suction channel, successfully removing it and ultimately saving the man’s life.” He noted that the cockroach’s presence in the small intestine could have posed a serious health risk.
The bizarre story sparked reactions on social media, with Reddit users expressing a mix of disbelief and humor.
One commented, “I’m pretending I didn’t read that.” Another speculated, “Maybe it avoided stomach acid by finding a small crevice.” A third remarked, “They say cockroaches can survive a nuclear disaster—now we know they can endure a trip through the digestive system.” A joking user added, “This is it, I’m switching to IV nutrients!”
It’s a story that might make one think twice about mealtime… or perhaps not.