Environmental pollution is fuelling respiratory diseases in the country, Bukola Adebayo reports

 

Medical experts have raised the alarm on the increasing incidence of asthma and other respiratory infections in the country.

 

Asthma, they note, is now deadlier than the dreaded HIV/AIDS infection, as it kills over 10,000 Nigerians annually.

 

This comes as the World Health Organisation estimates reveal that some 235 million people are currently suffering from asthma.

 

The global body adds that this figure will rise to over 400 million in the next decade, especially with the alarming increase in infection rates from developing countries, such as Nigeria.

 

According to a consultant chest physician, Dr. Peters Etete, about 15 million Nigerians may be living with asthma and other forms of respiratory diseases.

 

Ekete, who agrees with the prediction of the global body, however, notes that the disease is worse in Nigeria as factors predisposing individuals to the condition are common in the nation.

 

He adds, “In Nigeria, about 15 million people may have asthma, based on numerous studies. However, it is projected that developing countries may have rising incidence of asthma in the years ahead. It is predicte, going by some lifestyle and environmental factors that the number of people with asthma will grow by more than 100 million by 2025.”

 

The chest physician, who defines asthma as a chronic respiratory infection, whose symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightening, also identifies cigarette smoking and air pollution due to poor environment protection policies as factors increasing the number of asthmatic patients in the country.

 

Etete, the National President, Nigerian Thoracic Society, laments that despite the ban on smoking in public places, direct smoking and passive smoking remain one of the major habits exposing many people to asthma and lung infections.

 

He explains, “Studies have shown that the environment can have a huge impact on asthma exacerbation, whether it be from cigarette smoke or pollution within the atmosphere. Similarly, climate change and air pollution have been linked with increasing asthma incidence and exacerbation.”

 

 

The physician notes that smoke from a cigarette or the environment when inhaled, inflames the lungs, causing them to become narrower as well as reducing airflow through them.

 

For a former NTS President, Prof. Greg Erhosa, though smoke inhalation and air pollution have been proved to trigger asthma, many Nigerians still suffer from the disease due to ignorance.

 

Ignorance on the nature of the disease, he posits, further explains why many Nigerians are dying from the preventable and manageable disease.

 

Corroborating Erhosa’s view, Etete adds that not many Nigerians are aware that their jobs can predispose them to the condition.

 

In fact, Erhosa and Etete insist that 15 per cent of asthma cases in adults have link to occupational hazards.

 

They recommend that those working in textile, carpet, adhesive and paint making industries; as well as those in pharmaceutical industry should take special care, as they are more at risk of exposure to irritants.

 

Calling for increased awareness on prevention and management of asthma, the physicians add that it is an elixir for reducing the disease in the country.

 

“Nigeria has lost many gifted and illustrious sons and daughters prematurely due to asthma. The underlying reason for causes of this is inadequate education.

 

“There is need for strong patient education that though their asthma may not be cured, it can be controlled; they can live optimally well, with no limitation in spite of the asthma,” Etete adds.

 

The experts reveal that new evidence has emerged that Vitamin D deficiency in a pregnant mother can also predispose her baby to asthma.

 

On the treatment and management of asthma, the Managing Director, HealthPlus Limited, Lagos, Mrs. Bukky George, says asthma only kills patients when affected individuals do not take the proper medication.

 

George, a pharmacist, notes that asthmatic patients need to adopt new methods of treating the disease rather than sticking to the outdated practice.

 

According to her, with its high killer-rate, it will not be out of place to compare it to the dreaded HIV/AIDS.

 

She, nonetheless, urges patients to use such fresh medications as nebuliser, spacer, steroid tablets and preventers and inhalers to tackle the disease.

 

She adds, “Asthmatic patients should always inform all the people around them on their conditions at all times. They should never leave their inhalers or medications at home, because any unfriendly or polluted environment can trigger an attack.

 

“There is also the need for them to know the factors that trigger such attacks. Staying in a place where there is smoke or inhaling cigarette smoke can cause a crisis. If you are asthmatic, avoid any situation that will make you inhale such polluted air. When you are in a critical situation, tell people around you so that they will know how to use the medication in case of any attack.”

 

BY BUKOLA ADEBAYO 

THE PUNCH