The habit of sleeping with betel nut, clove, or any other object in the mouth is common among many people, but it can prove to be extremely dangerous. During sleep, such objects can accidentally pass through the airway into the lungs, leading to repeated infections over a long period of time.
Recently, a similar case was seen at Apollo Hospital, where a nearly 70-year-old elderly woman was admitted with complaints of recurrent chest infections and pneumonia. Due to her deteriorating condition, she had to be admitted to the ICU. X-ray and CT scan investigations revealed pneumonia in her lungs. The patient already had a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, and was taking blood thinners.
To understand the underlying cause of the illness, doctors decided to perform a bronchoscopy. Apollo Hospital pulmonologist Dr. Shubham Agarwal explained that during the bronchoscopy, it was observed that a foreign object was lodged inside the lung in the area affected by pneumonia. The doctors informed the family that removing the object was absolutely necessary and that the procedure would require general anesthesia and ventilator support. As the procedure was lengthy, the family was initially anxious, but after detailed discussion and reassurance, they gave their consent.
The patient was then completely sedated, and with the help of a camera and specialized instruments, the object was removed from inside the lung. Mild bleeding occurred during the procedure, which was successfully controlled with medication. When the object was finally extracted, it turned out to be a piece of betel nut. The family revealed that the patient had a habit of chewing betel nut and often fell asleep at night with it in her mouth. This piece of betel nut had entered and remained lodged in her lung, causing repeated infections over a long time.
After removal of the betel nut, the patient’s condition improved rapidly. She was taken off the ventilator and soon recovered completely and was discharged home in stable condition.
Dr. Shubham stated that when any foreign object gets stuck in the lungs through the airway, the entire area beyond that point becomes infected, often leading to pus formation. Many times, when a person is in deep sleep, objects that enter the lungs through the airway do not cause obvious symptoms, and a mild cough may be the only sign. Cough syrups or nebulization can suppress these symptoms, and even X-rays may fail to detect the presence of a foreign body in the lungs. Therefore, extreme caution is required.
He further warned that sleeping with betel nut, cloves, or any other object in the mouth is extremely dangerous and can be life-threatening. Additionally, if an adult experiences recurrent chest infections or pneumonia, it is essential to consider the possibility of a foreign object lodged in the lungs. During sleep, such incidents may not trigger a strong cough reflex, allowing the real cause to remain hidden for a long time.
Dr. Mayank Somani, MD & CEO, Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital;
said that this case highlights how small, careless everyday habits such as chewing something while sleeping can lead to serious illnesses. A foreign object stuck in the lungs can continue to spread infection for a long time without clear symptoms, while treatment remains limited to medications alone. Timely and accurate diagnosis not only revealed the true cause of the illness but also saved the patient’s life. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the hidden causes behind recurrent cough or infections.