Lucknow: Doctors have warned that the common habit of sleeping with cloves or betel nut in the mouth can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. A recent case at Apollo Hospital, Lucknow, highlighted this hidden risk when doctors saved the life of a nearly 70-year-old woman by removing a betel nut lodged deep inside her lungs.
The elderly patient was admitted with recurrent chest infections and pneumonia and had to be shifted to the ICU. Despite treatment, her condition worsened, prompting doctors to conduct a bronchoscopy. During the procedure, pulmonologist Dr Shubham Agarwal discovered a foreign object stuck in the lung area affected by pneumonia.
Under general anesthesia and ventilator support, doctors successfully removed the object, which turned out to be a piece of betel nut. The family later revealed the patient often slept with betel nut in her mouth. After removal, her condition improved rapidly, and she was discharged in stable condition.
Doctors stressed that foreign objects inhaled during sleep may go unnoticed for long periods, causing repeated infections. They strongly advised against sleeping with any object in the mouth.
