The Deputy Provost, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus, Prof. Cajetan Onyedum, has warned Nigerians against constant consumption of cough syrups as some of them contain toxins.
Onyedum, gave this insight on a lecture he titled, “Doctor, I have Normal Cough: An Exegesis of Normal and Abnormal Cough” during the 181st inaugural lecture in the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Enugu.
He said, if cough is not properly investigated, could lead to over consumption of cough syrups and antibiotics which might result to side effects like; drowsiness, drug abuse and addictions.
His words, “We must begin to review ourselves when we cough to ascertain if we just have normal cough or persistent one.
“Occasional cough may be normal but a cough that persists is not and cannot be normal. The burden of cough both as symptom and a disease is quite substantial and impact negatively on the complete well-being of all,” he said.
Onyedum described acute and chronic cough as one that lasted for more than three weeks, advising Nigerians to see a doctor if the symptoms persisted.
He added that chronic cough were caused by smoking, chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia and obstructive sleep apnea amongst others.
Onyedum further advised that cough should not be suppressed, adding that letting it out removes what was inhaled such as dust, excessive secretions that built up in the airways.
– (VANGUARD)
