The head of the Pulmonary Unit at University College Hospital, Dr. Olumide Sogaolu, has indicated that globally, the primary trigger for asthma cases is the common cold rather than pneumonia.
He similarly mentioned that it’s a misconception that relying on asthma inhalers reflects the severity of the condition.
Speaking at the 2025 World Asthma Day event organized by the Pulmonary Unit at the University College Hospital in partnership with the hospital’s Asthma Club, Sogaolu stated that upper respiratory tract infections are globally recognized as the leading cause of asthma triggers. He emphasized that treating these infections can stop them from progressing to the chest and thereby prevent an asthmatic episode.
As per his view, inhalers are designed to effectively deliver asthma medication directly to the lungs, ensuring it reaches the needed area, and to swiftly assist the respiratory system.
According to Dr. Sogaolu, asthma can emerge at any stage of life but commonly begins during early childhood. This condition frequently leads to various asthmatic symptoms such as persistent coughing, chest constriction, wheezing, and respiratory difficulties. Such issues may be prompted by factors like tobacco smoke, airborne particles, environmental contaminants from industries, pollen, insect infestations, and shifts in atmospheric conditions.
He stated that asthma should not lead to absence from school or work, nor justify relocation within the National Youth Service Corps program, as efficient inhalers for managing asthma are readily accessible.
“While asthma cannot be completely cured, it can be effectively managed throughout one’s lifetime. Education plays a crucial role here. It is essential for individuals with asthma to understand their triggers and learn strategies to steer clear of them,” he emphasized.
The Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services at UCH, Ibadan, Mrs. Miriam Kayode-Edward, has encouraged all asthma patients to join the National Health Insurance Scheme so that their medical appointments and drugs will be financially protected.
She stated that generic asthma medications are safe, and patients should not demand branded versions as this might lead them to purchase counterfeit or inferior quality asthma drugs instead.
Dr. Emmanuel Adesokan, a consulting pulmonologist at UCH, Ibadan, stated that inhalers are the optimal choice for managing asthma as they deliver medication precisely to the lungs, targeting the exact area required and ensuring the right dosage.
As per his view, asthma tablets tend to be less potent and may lead to numerous side effects since the medication initially passes through the stomach, dissolves, circulates in the blood systemwide, then finally reaches the lungs where it exerts its desired action.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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