A 70-year-old woman from Lucknow, Rabia Begum, spent two years suffering from severe, uncontrollable coughing fits, especially during seasonal changes, before doctors discovered a shocking cause: a piece of betel nut lodged deep in her lung. The habit of chewing areca nut before bed nearly cost her her life, leading to a life-threatening relapse of pneumonia and a critical stay in the ICU at Apollo Hospital.
A Critical Condition and a Startling Discovery
Rabia Begum was admitted to the hospital in a dire state, barely able to breathe and having lost consciousness. Pulmonologist Dr. Shubham Agarwal, who treated her, noted her existing history of heart disease, high blood pressure, and the use of blood thinners, which complicated her case. Her first bout of pneumonia occurred in the last quarter of 2023, from which she had only partially recovered.
The medical team performed a bronchoscopy, which pinpointed a foreign object trapped in the lower lobe of her right lung. "Extraction of the foreign body was absolutely necessary for her survival," stated Dr. Agarwal, explaining that the procedure required general anesthesia and ventilator support.
The Hidden Culprit: A Bedtime Habit
When the object was finally removed, it was identified as a piece of betel nut. Her family then revealed a crucial detail: Rabia had a long-standing habit of chewing betel nut and would often fall asleep with it still in her mouth. This small piece had apparently been inhaled and remained lodged in her lung, acting as a persistent source of infection and causing repeated episodes of illness over two years.
Following the successful extraction, the patient's condition steadily improved. She was discharged from the hospital on December 18. A follow-up check on a recent Monday confirmed she was in stable health.
A Vital Warning for a Common Practice
Dr. Agarwal emphasized the critical lesson from this case. "Small habits can make or break a person," he said. He highlighted that in India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, many people have the habit of chewing areca nuts or spices like cardamom or clove before sleeping. It is essential to be mindful of cleaning the oral cavity before dozing off to prevent such dangerous incidents.
He also provided an important medical insight for the public. A foreign body in the airway can cause a persistent cough, which might initially seem to improve with cough syrups or nebulization, masking the real problem. "The advice is not to ignore a sustained and unexplained cough or dismiss chest infections," he warned. A foreign object may not always trigger a strong cough reflex, allowing the true cause to remain hidden for a dangerously long time, as seen in Rabia Begum's prolonged ordeal.
