Abuja – Dr Safiya Ojo, a general physician with the Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, had advised Nigerians to avoid smoking to reduce incidence of lung diseases. Ojo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. According to her, tobacco smoking is the most common cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with a number of other factors such as air pollution and genetics. “COPD, also known as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD), is a type of obstructive lung disease characterised by chronically poor airflow. “It typically worsens over time. The main symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, weight loss and sputum production for more than three months,’’ Ojo said. She said that there are two types of COPD; namely chronic bronchitis and emphysema, adding that some have a combination of both.
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Ojo said long term exposure to other lungs irritants such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust may also contribute to the disease. She said other causes of COPD were air pollution from poorly vented cooking and heating fires. “The long-term exposure to these irritants causes an inflammatory response in the lungs resulting in narrowing of the small airways and breakdown of lung tissue, known as emphysema. “COPD can be prevented by reducing exposure to known environmental risk factors. “This includes efforts to decrease rates of smoking and to improve indoor and outdoor air quality. “COPD treatments include stopping smoking, vaccinations, rehabilitation, and often inhaled bronchodilators and steroids,’’ she said. Ojo said COPD was treatable with proper management, adding that most people living with the disease can achieve a good life if they reduce risk associated with the condition. (NAN)