Association of Public Health Physician of Nigeria (APHPN) has clarified the misconception that soot causes asthma.
The association spokes person, Dr. Kelechi Okonta told our reporter that the soot in Port Harcourt may have triggered asthma attack but can not be said to be the reason for asthma cases in the area.
He further explained that, someone has to be prone to reacting excessively before the contaminant in the atmosphere can trigger that excessive Soot, Asthma, APHPN Gives Medical Advice.
Dr Okonta revealed that everybody does not respond in the same way. He said some people have hyper responsive airways. Stressing that it is a combination of different factors, not just one singular factor, rather it is a trigger for an acute episode of an asthmatic attack.
Dr Okonta stressed that the continuous air pollution in Rivers State has caused oxygen exchange in the lungs to be reduce in asthmatic patient.
He further explained that the allergy could trigger off reactions in the lungs by making sure that the tiny airways that carries oxygen and remove carbon dioxide is reduced in calibre, progressively making the condition of patient so bad or making them to have asthmatic attack.
However, the spokes person of APHPN advised asthmatic patient to take precautionary measures due to the medical condition.
He said they should basically stay in a non polluted environment as much as they can, and where they can’t, they should go out with their inhalers and those of them that are on medication should adhere strictly to the instruction of their doctor.
