Latest news with #cashewnuts
Khaleej Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
When pneumonia doesn't heal: A hidden diagnosis and a life turned around at NMC Royal Hospital, DIP
When weeks of antibiotics failed to help a Dubai resident's chronic cough, doctors at NMC Royal Hospital, DIP, uncovered the real culprit — fragments of cashew nuts lodged in his lung A 43-year-old man living with poorly controlled diabetes was admitted to NMC Royal Hospital, Dubai Investment Park (DIP), with a persistent cough and shortness of breath that had lingered for weeks despite multiple courses of antibiotics. Initially diagnosed with pneumonia, his condition showed minimal improvement, prompting the hospital's medical team to investigate further. A detailed CT scan of the chest revealed a partial lung collapse in the lower lobe of his right lung, raising concerns about a possible blockage in the airway. He was promptly referred to Dr Gopal Chawla, specialist pulmonologist at NMC Royal Hospital, DIP, for further evaluation. Dr Chawla performed a flexible bronchoscopy – a simple, minimally invasive procedure that involves passing a thin, flexible camera through the mouth into the lungs to identify any internal obstructions. To the team's surprise, the bronchoscopy revealed two cream-colored foreign bodies lodged deep in the patient's airways. Surrounded by inflamed tissue and granulation, the fragments were identified as cashew nuts likely inhaled unknowingly during a meal. The patient had no memory of choking or difficulty swallowing, yet the nuts had somehow entered the lungs instead of the digestive tract. Over time, this led to irritation, inflammation, and repeated infections that mimicked pneumonia and did not respond to conventional treatment. Due to their deep location and the delicate condition of the surrounding tissue, removing the nuts required expert precision. Dr Chawla, supported by Dr Surjya Upadhyay from the anaesthesia team and experienced endoscopy staff, carried out the procedure under general anaesthesia. Using a Fogarty balloon catheter - a thin tube with an inflatable tip used to gently dislodge blockages along with specialised forceps designed for foreign body removal, the team was able to carefully extract both fragments. Despite several attempts due to the fragility of the material, the procedure was completed safely and without complications. The patient's recovery was swift. Within days, his breathing had improved, his energy levels returned, and follow-up imaging confirmed that the collapsed portion of his lung had reopened. 'A cough that lingers for more than two weeks is your body's way of asking for help,' said Dr Chawla. 'This case reminds us that not all pneumonias are caused by infections. Sometimes, the real problem is something hidden, like a foreign body in the airway. With tools like bronchoscopy and EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound), we can diagnose and treat these issues quickly and safely, often without the need for surgery.' While food aspiration is more commonly seen in children, it can also occur in adults, particularly those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, dental issues, or neurological problems. In many cases, the symptoms are subtle and often mistaken for chronic infection. Persistent chest infections that don't respond to antibiotics, repeated infections in the same area of the lung, unexplained breathlessness, or findings of partial lung collapse on scans should all raise concern. At NMC Royal Hospital, DIP, patients have access to a comprehensive range of advanced respiratory diagnostic tools, including bronchoscopy and EBUS. These modern, minimally invasive techniques allow physicians to diagnose and treat airway problems with precision, often avoiding the need for surgical intervention. When it comes to lung health, early diagnosis and timely action can make all the difference. If you or someone you know is living with a persistent cough or recurring chest infection, expert care is just a consultation away. To learn more or book an appointment with our pulmonology team, visit or call us at 800 313.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
People are only just realising where cashew nuts actually come from: 'We've been lied to for decades'
People have only just discovered where cashew nuts come from - and it's left some flabbergasted. One woman claimed the revelation 'f****d my head up' after coming across naturally growing cashew nuts during a trip to Isla San Andres in Colombia with her husband. The travel and wellness duo, who are the owners of organic herb company Roldan Fam, shared a video of the intriguing trip on TikTok which showed them quizzing a farmer over the origins of cashew nuts. The man, who appeared to be local, could be seen jumping down from a tall tree while clutching a bizarre fruit that resembled a common red bell pepper. Inside the shiny fruit was one small cashew nut - but the revelation that the popular snack even comes from a fruit at all left the couple shocked. 'What?!...That is wild!' shouted the woman. 'That's how cashews come?' asked her husband, who was equally dumbfounded. The happy couple were not the only ones new to this information, as many took to the comments section with a bevy of questions, while one person said the world had been lied to for 'decades' about the origins of cashew nuts. 'I just learned this today' said one person. Replying to the comment, someone else wrote: 'And I'm learning this 11 hours after you'. 'So a bag of cashews is like a whole trees worth?!' wrote one person seemingly confused. 'Mind blown cause HUH?' chimed one. However one person couldn't comprehend what all the fuss was about, writing: 'Who is just randomly curious about cashews?' In the video, the man obtained the cashew fruit, which resembled a bell pepper, by fetching it from a tall tree. 'See, this is the nut' said the unnamed man while pointing to a green, curved object at the top of the fruit, which he said was the cashew seed. During his frank explanation, shouts of 'that is wild!' and 'that's how cashews come?' could be heard from the shocked couple. Many took to the comments section with a bevy of questions, while one person said the world had been lied to for 'decades' about the origins of cashew nuts He even told the holidaymakers that they could try it for themselves straightaway, explaining that it's 'dry but sweet'. After trying it, the couple said it 'wasn't bad'. The farmer added: 'If you was a singer, the best [thing] for you to eat is the fruit of the cashew.' Cashews are actually seeds that grow from a tree, which are native to Brazil. Although it originated in Brazil, the Portuguese later took the tree to India where it started to grow there as well as other parts of Southeast Asia. They grow in a shell that is then attached at the bottom of the cashew apple. People will pick the entire apple and then remove the cashew for consumption. Although the cashew apple is relatively unknown, people are able to consume the fruit if they would like. It is said to have a more bitter taste compared to that of an apple or other fruit. Although he was able to enjoy the cashew fruit raw, the same can't be said for the nut, which is actually considered toxic in its unprocessed form. According to raw cashew nuts with their shells on contain a chemical called urushiol, which is considered poisonous. While the simple estimation would be to simply remove its poisonous shell before enjoying them then and there, the toxic substance can seep into the underlying cashew nut as well. Therefore cashew nuts have to be cooked - most often roasted - before consuming them. The farmer explained this to the couple, telling them they had to 'bake it' before eating the nuts. 'Then you take the inside - the inside is the nut' he concluded.
