Anambra government sensitises public on asthma

The Anambra State Government has embarked on massive asthma sensitisation to educate the general public on the symptoms, causes, prevention and management of the disease.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, said this in his office at Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka, during a news briefing on public enlightenment on asthma.

Dr Akabuike described asthma as a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airway, characterised by variable and recurrent symptoms, reversible airways obstructions and broncho-spasm.

He explained that asthma affects people of all ages and often starts from childhood.

‘‘Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that include exposure to air pollution and allergies.

‘‘It has no cure but can be well managed so that the symptoms can be subdued. People can outgrow it,’’ he added.

Akabuike explained that the symptoms of asthma include wheezing, that is a whistling sound when breathing, breathlessness, tightness of the chest, and coughing.

• Yellow fever: CMD assures Edo people of safety

The asthmatic attack is as a result of the inflammatory of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs, and also makes the respiratory tubes to be temporarily narrowed.

Akabuike named other types of asthma to include Acute, severe (previously known as Status Ashmaticus — a very severe type of asthma that does not respond to standard treatment) and britter.

He, then, said that Brittle Asthma is distinguished with recurrent severe attacks and has type one and two. Other types are exercise-induced broncho-construction and occupational asthma.

Dr Akabuike urged the public to avoid those things that trigger asthma-like dust, animal furs, cigarette smoke, strong odour, cold air, cold drinks, cold baths and chest infections.

‘‘Preventive measures include, use of prevention inhaler, relieve inhaler, and prompt treatment of chest infection, knowing one personal asthma trigger and seeing the doctor for check-ups,’’ Akabuike said.