HEALTH: Causes and ways to manage asthma attack.

By Busola Badmus.

The cause of asthma is poorly understood, but it may be partly inherited.

Everyone's lungs are  sensitive to different things such as pollen, air pollution, or strong chemicals. In simple terms, people with asthma have lungs that are more sensitive than average.

Based on findings there are 3 processes in the lungs that produce asthma symptoms.

First, the inner linings of the airways become inflamed. They swell up, leaving less room for air to pass through.

Second, the muscles around the airways can tighten, closing them further.

Finally, the airways produce mucus in response to the inflammation, clogging the shrunken tubes.

Asthma is in part an allergic response. It may be triggered by some external substance that particularly irritates your lungs. These triggers are often small protein particles called allergens . Some people are sensitive to more than one trigger.

Common allergens include: animal dander, cockroach particles, grass, tree, and ragweed pollen, house dust mites, moulds and so on.

Other people can get an asthma attack from something they swallow rather than breathe.
Examples of these triggers include: anti-inflammatory, medications, nuts or shrimp, preservatives found in some drinks or foods.

While most people develop asthma as children, adults can become asthmatic by being exposed to allergens, irritants, or occupational sensitizers for a long time.

People who work with the following products may be at increased risk: antibiotics, cotton and flax , detergents, foams and paints, grains and cereals, insulation and packaging materials.

Asthma attacks can also be triggered by non-allergic irritants, such as: laughing hard, crying, shouting, smog and smoke, strong smells (e.g., paint fumes, perfumes,cleaning products),suddenly breathing cold air, vigorous exercise, viral infections such as the common cold or the flu.

In a tertiary Institution like Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), students are faced with frequent attacks of asthma.

Mrs Triumphant Omotosho the nurse of the Institute, who spoke with Ogbaexpress on how the student with asthma and the school can reduce the reoccurence to its bearest minimum, said, "the major problem with asthmatic patient is that they don't move around with their inhaler".

Omotosho said, some of them have the crisis over night but decides to hold it till they collapse and are rushed to the clinic, instead of using one drug, they will end up using three to four drugs to resourcitate them because they have stressed themselves.

She stated some ways which the student can reduce the attack, 'by moving around with Inhailer, using face mask where necessary, staying away from what they are allegic to, using their prescribed drugs during dry season, staying in a well ventilated place during functions in the school hall and they can take a walk outside the class to receive fresh air after each lectures.

While she also advised that the school can help to reduce the crisis  by providing more Air Condition's  to make the class more ventilated for learning and the classrooms should be well dusted".

Gabrella Akoanu, an HND2 student of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism also speake with Ogbaexpress, on what triggers her own asthma crisis, she said 'what causes the attacks is when she inhail strong perfumes, conjection in classroom , stress from day's events and frequent climbing of staircase which affects the breathing.

Also with Ogbaexpress, is Alice Ajakaiye, an HND 2 student of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism who said ' some of her colleagues knows quite right that some of them are dealing with Asthma crisis but they won't stop taking 'CODINE SWEET'.

Codine sweet according to Ajakaiye smells in a way that triggers her Asthma crisis, she also complained about people having different smells due to their perfumes and the Air Condition's in classroom are not enough to circulate to take some of these smells away.

Ajakaye also commended the school clinic for their support always towards the Asthmatic patient and how they usually play a motherly roles when some of them are faced with this crisis. She also urge the school management to endeavour to provide more AC's so as to make the classroom conducive for all.

Asthma crisis may not be eradicate fully but can be managed, so all asthmatic patient are hereby enjoyed to take precaution so that their crisis will not be taken for epilepsy if cuts them unaware where no friends and family to help out.