NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag cold

General news

Harmattan: Enugu residents rush for 2nd-hand sweaters

Harmattan: Enugu residents rush for 2nd-hand sweaters
By Maureen Ojinaka
Cold
Enugu, Jan. 10, 2019 (NAN) Some residents of Enugu, particularly women, have increased their patronage for second-hand sweaters as the harmattan cold intensifies.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the popular markets in the metropolis on Thursday reports that buyers swamped the sellers in markets for such sweaters.
Some buyers told NAN that it was necessary to buy sweaters at this period of harmattan at an affordable cost to save them and the children from the biting cold.
Mrs Regina Ozor, a buyer at Ogbette market, said that the harmattan was severe and that she had to buy the sweaters affordable in the second-hand clothes market so as to safeguard her and the children from cold which could lead to cough or asthma.
“This year’s harmattan is too harsh, especially for children and if they are not well protected, they can easily be affected with cold which can definitely lead them to having cough and as well as developing asthma at tender age.
“Prevention is better than cure because it can only cause someone a little to prevent a sickness than treating it.
“That is why many women are coming to market just to buy cold protective wears mainly for their kids,” Ozor said.
Another buyer, Mrs Ekwy Ilodibe, at the new market said that the high cost of new sweaters drove mothers to the second-hand market which was a bit cheaper.
Ilodibe explained that children needed to be protected from harmattan with thick sweaters due to harsh cold associated with the season.
Mr Solomon Egbuna, another buyer at the market, said that it was necessary for him to buy sweater in this period because of his health challenge.
“Since the harmattan set in, I have been experiencing severe cough as well as chest pain which are associated to the harsh cold of harmattan,’’ according to Egbuna.
Mr Emmanuel Orji, a dealer in second-hand sweaters at the Ogbette main market, said that the severity of the cold associated with the harmattan had made many, especially women, to rush for sweaters.
Orji added that the cold could not be overlooked or ignored no matter how poor a person may be, thereby forcing many residents to patronise them.
According to him, a good quality children’s sweater goes for between N700 and N1,500, while that of adults go for between N1,000 and N1,900.
Mrs Chibuzor Nnamani, a dealer, said that despite the difficulties in bringing in the sweaters, including payment of import duties and harassment from the Custom officials, she had not quit the business because of its high patronage.
“Since I import directly from the source, I pay heavily to Customs and sometimes the officials harass me on my way to Enugu from Lagos, though, it is a business that is patronised by everyone,” she said. (NAN)
MO/ECN/MST
Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Children need special care in cold weather – Pediatrician

 

Children
By Tinuade Adeshiyan
Ikorodu(Lagos State), May 23, 2018 (NAN) As the rainy season, which is often characterised by cold sets in, a paedatrician, Dr Adetope Gideon advises parents to properly cover their babies and children.

Gideon, who works at the Rain Hospital, Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that children were more vulnerable to cold than grownups.

“There is need to remind parents and other caregivers that children are at more risk of cold than adults because their bodies are smaller and they lose heat quicker.

“Parents should ensure their children wear cold weather accessories including cardigans, warm boots, gloves or mittens and a wool cap, which can keep them comfortable in cold weather.

“Dress babies and young children in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.

“Keep exposure to cold at a minimum because babies and young children don’t have the same tolerance for cold that adults do; also, limit their time of playing outside.

“Ensure that they eat warm foods and rub their bodies with mentholated oil always,’’ she said.

Gideon explained that though cold weather causes colds, however, common colds are mainly caused by viruses that  humans were commonly exposed to.

“Viruses are spread even more easily when children are in school and in close contact with each other, typically through respiratory droplets in the air and on the hands.

“A child who has a cold can pass it to another by touching hands, sneezing near each other faces or through contact with their bodies.

“Of course, once a baby is already sneezing and wheezing or has a runny nose or coughs, it is best to keep him indoors since breathing in cold and dry air can aggravate their symptoms.

“When you go out, check your child’s hands and feet often to make sure they are not too cold,’’ she said.

She advised on good hygiene and proper nutrition as they are best defenses against common cold.

“Give your child plenty of nutritious foods as it will help his  body build up immunity to common infections, making it stronger always,’’ she said.

Gideon also advised parents to visit hospitals if their wards or children were not responding to home treatment after contacting cold. (NAN)
TAL/VIV/GY
==========

Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Grace Yussuf

Health

Expert warns against excessive intake of cold drinks

Expert warns against excessive intake of cold drinks

NAN-HG-3

Cold

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, March 15, 2017 (NAN) Dr Safiya Ojo, General Medical Practitioner, Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, has warned Nigerians against excessive intake of cold drinks to avoid cold related ailments.

Ojo gave the warning on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

However, the expert advised that drinking cold water in moderation would not have adverse effect on their health.

“Drinking very cold water could be harmful to the body because there is a belief that the bacteria dwelling the in cold environment will trigger children to have catarrh, cough and respiratory tract infection.

“Children and adults that experience skin allergies and asthmatic patients should avoid excessive cold water because they experience attacks,’’ she said.

Ojo said during hot weather, people tend to lose extra fluids and beverages in the temperature range would have a cooling effect on the body.

She added that drinking cool beverages could help to cool one from the inside.

“The best indicator on whether your body is getting enough water is urine colour. If your urine is dark yellow, chances are you’re not getting enough water.

“If you pass clear to very light coloured yellow urine, your fluid intake is adequate.

“But remember that urine colour in the morning will always be a little darker,’’ she said.

Ojo said to function properly, all the cells and organs of the body need water, adding that water also lubricate the joints, protect the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.

Other advantages, she listed, are that water regulate body temperature and assist the passage of food through the intestines.

She said although some of the water required by the body was obtained through foods with high water content from soups, tomatoes and oranges.

She explained that the majority water was gained through drinking water and other beverages.

“Drinking water, be it from the tap or a bottle, is the best source of fluid for the body.

“Beverages such as milk and juices are also decent sources of fluid, but beverages containing alcohol and caffeine, such as soft drinks, coffee and beer, are not ideal because they often contain calories,’’ Ojo said. (NAN)

OEO/GOM/MST

Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola