Dr. Olumide Sogaolu, who leads the Pulmonary Unit at the University College Hospital, asserts that globally, the common cold is the primary trigger for asthma cases, rather than pneumonia.
He similarly stated that the idea which links the use of asthma inhalers with the severity of the condition is a misconception.
At the 2025 World Asthma Day event organized by the Pulmonary Unit at the University College Hospital in partnership with the hospital’s Asthma Club, Sogaolu stated that upper respiratory tract infections are globally recognized as the leading cause of asthma triggers. She emphasized that treating these infections can stop them from progressing to the chest and causing an asthmatic episode.
As per his view, inhalers are designed to effectively deliver asthma medication directly into the lungs, ensuring it reaches the needed area, and to swiftly assist the respiratory system.
Dr. Sogaolu stated that asthma can develop at any age but more often starts in early childhood, causing many to experience asthmatic symptoms including cough, chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. These can be triggered by smoke, dust, industrial pollution, pollens, cockroaches, and weather changes.
He declared that asthma shouldn’t be a reason for absenteeism at school or the workplace, or an excuse for redeployment to remote areas by the National Youth Service Corps, because effective inhaler medications for asthma are available.
“Asthma has no cure per se, but it can be well controlled throughout life. The key thing is education. Asthmatics must know their triggers and how to avoid them,” he added.
The Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services at UCH, Ibadan, Mrs. Miriam Kayode-Edward, has encouraged all asthma patients to join the National Health Insurance Scheme so that their medical expenses and drug costs will be taken care of during hospital visits.
She stated that generic asthma medications are safe, and patients should not demand branded versions as this could lead them to purchase counterfeit or low-quality asthma drugs instead.
Dr. Emmanuel Adesokan, a consulting pulmonologist at UCH, Ibadan, stated that inhalers are the optimal choice for managing asthma as they deliver medication directly to the lungs, precisely where it is required, and ensure the proper dosage is administered.
According to him, asthma medications in tablet form are less effective and can cause many side effects because the drug first goes into the stomach, gets dissolved, enters the bloodstream, and travels throughout the body before reaching the lungs to achieve its intended effect.
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