Lucknow, Dec. 30 -- The habit of sleeping while chewing betel nut, clove or other objects, common among many people, can be extremely dangerous, doctors have warned. Such objects can slip into the airway during sleep and lodge in the lungs, leading to repeated infections over time. A similar case was recently reported at a private hospital, where a nearly 70-year-old woman was admitted with recurrent chest infections and pneumonia. As her condition worsened, she was shifted to the ICU. X-ray and CT scan investigations confirmed pneumonia. The patient also had a history of heart disease and high blood pressure and was on blood-thinning medication. To identify the cause, doctors performed a bronchoscopy. Hospital pulmonologist Dr Shubham Agarwal said a foreign object was found lodged in the lung at the site of infection. The family was informed that removal under general anaesthesia with ventilator support was essential. After counselling, consent was given. Doctors successfully removed the object, later identified as a piece of betel nut. The family revealed that the woman often fell asleep while chewing betel nut. Following the procedure, the patient improved rapidly, was taken off the ventilator and discharged in stable condition....