Controlling asthma through support, commitment to healthcare in Nigeria

With approximately 15 million Nigerians affected by asthma and the prevalence has been on the rise as a result of increasing air pollution and urbanisation, ANTHONIA OBOKOH writes on the need for effective management and improving awareness of the ailment in Nigeria, as the world celebrates World Asthma Day today.

The triggers of asthma have been classified as inducers and inciters; its origin is from the Greek word, “aázein,” meaning “to pant.”
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. The chronic inflammation is associated with airway hyper-responsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or early in the morning.
Asthma is one of the world’s most common long-term conditions; the disease is estimated to affect as many as 300 million people worldwide, and could increase by another 100 million by the year 2025.
Sadly, the disease is not a respecter of age, sex or ethnicity, as it affects all across the globe. But from recent statistics, it is prevalent among the blacks, the less developed nations than the developed. The reason may not be far fetched, as the developed nations have advanced in research and development into the ailment, and this is where GSK comes in, to bridge the gap in Africa.
Statistics also show that the ailment is common to men than women from middle to old age.
Meanwhile, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Asthma Day with the theme “Never too early, Never too late,” asthma is estimated to affect 15 million people in the country, which means almost one in every 15 Nigerians may have the condition.
However, in order to control the disease in Nigeria and leverage adequate infrastructure and resources as well as standard care, to commemorate this year’s World Asthma Day, GlaxoSmithkline Nigeria, in partnership with the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, has urged Nigerians to address and treat cases of airways diseases as soon as they notice the symptoms rather than wait for the situation to deteriorate.
As in the case of asthma, such early treatment may help in reducing cases of asthmatic attacks, which may sometime become fatal.
This year’s theme is a call to action for both patients and healthcare providers across the globe to adequately examine symptoms of airways diseases such as asthma no matter at what point in human life such symptoms occur, GSK Nigeria says. By doing so, they will have control and the risk of the situation advancing to a critical stage may be minimised.
“As part of its advocacy activities, GSK Nigeria has committed resources into regular and continuous update of its members and health workers on the management of airways diseases including asthma.
“These enlightenment programmes are very essential to enhance respiratory healthcare. Asthma is a huge burden in Nigeria. With over 15 million Nigerians living with the disease in the country and 235 million worldwide, it is critical that we work together to improve health and better asthma control. From the use of inhalers, vaccines and regular visits to the doctor, serious actions must be taken” according to the company.
Reports indicate that the prevalence of asthma has been on the rise in Nigeria, because of increase in air pollution and urbanisation. Many more people are exposed to polluted air and are thus predisposed to developing asthma.
“We are proud to join people all over the world to mark the World Asthma Day as part of our commitment to improve the quality of human life by helping Nigerians feel better and live longer. As a responsible company, GSK will continue to identify with and complement government’s efforts to control asthma. We are working at developing vaccines for the treatment of asthma and other ailments, and we are committed to this cause for the benefit of patients and consumers in Nigeria,” the company noted, as it collaborates the pharmacists.
According to the World Health Organisation, people who suffer from asthma suffer from wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Although a cure is yet to be identified, the condition can be prevented and controlled.

“Over 80 percent of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries. Asthma is under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals’ activities for a lifetime,” the WHO says in a report.
However, commending the efforts of GSK Nigeria, Elijah Mohammed, registrar, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, says, “The Council is grateful to GSK for their support and commitment to healthcare in Nigeria. We believe that this kind of support is a demonstration of a genuine willingness to ensure that Nigerians are healthy and promote a healthy society.”
In GSK Nigeria, commitment to help the country fight the rising prevalence has shown to ensure that every patient with asthma in Nigeria can breathe easy and live a healthy life.
To this end, the firm has a number of responsibilities – ensuring provision, availability and supply of life-saving asthma medication and devices in Nigeria (doing this for over three decades).
GSK also ensures that they contribute to improving knowledge about asthma and respiratory disease. They supported the Nigeria Thoracic Society (NTS) and other stakeholders in developing, introducing, and disseminating guidelines for the management of asthma in Nigeria, for the first time.
So that every physician will be able to diagnose, manage and treat asthma better and also partnered with educational organisations to train over 2,000 healthcare professionals on asthma management.
The organisation therefore has continued to sponsor healthcare professionals to medical and scientific conferences.
It says it will continues to invest in research and development to ensure every patient living with asthma can breathe easy and have a healthy life.

How to prevent asthma
A person with asthma should avoid eating or breathing things that bring on attacks. The house or workplace should be kept clean. Keep chickens and other animals outside.
Air bedding in the sunshine – sometimes it helps to sleep outside in the open air. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day to keep the mucus loose.
Avoid areas where people smoke: Breathing smoke – even second-hand smoke and smoke on clothing, furniture or drapes – can trigger an attack. Be sure to ask for a smoke-free hotel room when travelling.
Avoid harsh cleaning products, chemicals and inhaling fumes at home, and prevents exposure away from home as much as possible; fumes from household cleaners can trigger asthma.
Reduce stress: Intense emotions and worry often worsen asthma symptoms. So, take steps to relieve stress in your life. Make time for things you enjoy doing – and for relaxation.
Pay attention to air quality: Extremely hot and humid weather and poor air quality can exacerbate asthma symptoms for many people. Limit outdoor activity when these conditions exist or a pollution alert has been issued.
Exercise indoors: Physical activity is important – even for people with asthma. Reduce the risk for exercise-induced asthma attacks by working out inside on very cold or very warm days. Talk to your doctor about asthma and exercise.
Take control of your seasonal allergies: Allergies and asthma are closely related, so talk to your doctor if you have hay fever. Use medications as directed and stay inside as much as possible when pollen counts are high.
Make sure people around you know you have asthma: It is important for family members, friends, co-workers, teachers, and coaches to be able to recognise symptoms of an asthma attack – and know what to do if one occurs.
Keep quick-relief asthma medicines readily available: Follow policies at your child’s school to make sure he or she is allowed to carry an inhaler and any other emergency rescue medications that may be necessary. Make sure the school nurse knows your child has asthma.

Treatment for asthma
Asthma treatment can vary from anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator asthma inhalers to oral medications to asthma drugs delivered in an asthma nebulizer or breathing machine. Get a better understanding of how asthma medications work so you will know which medications can prevent asthma symptoms. Also, learn about natural asthma remedies and ways to monitor your breathing at home.
The types and doses of asthma medications you need depend on your age, your symptoms, and the severity of your asthma and medication side effects.
Because your asthma can change over time, work closely with your doctor to track your symptoms and adjust your asthma medications, if needed.