The PICC line attached to Tinubu's upper arm could mean four things

President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on Monday, April 24 to a rousing welcome.

The chieftain has been out of the country for a month and arrived just in time as plans for his swearing-in as the next president on May 29 progress.

The former Lagos governor left Nigeria for Paris, the French capital of France on vacation according to the APC PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga.

He made this known denying speculations that his principal had been rushed abroad for medical treatment.

Onanuga also noted that he would also use the opportunity of vacation to go for Umrah (lesser Hajj) after observing the annual Muslim fast.

While the Onanuga was successful at dousing the tension at the time, images of a thin tube suspected to be a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) on his right upper arm have raised suspicions about Tinubu's health status.

The PICC line has generated speculations that he was undergoing medical treatment abroad.

While viral images and photos has generate conversation social media, below are 4 reasons why the PICC line is administered to patients

1. Cancer treatment: Chemotherapy is delivered through a PICC line.

2. Liquid Nutrition: If the body can't process nutrients from food due to digestive system problems, a PICC line is recommended

3. Infection Treatment: Antibiotics and antifungal medicines can be given through a PICC line for serious infection.

4. Other Medications: Some medicines can irritate the small veins, and giving these treatments through the PICC line reduces that risk.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters said that Tinubu’s ailment was so severe that for five days while being hospitalized, he could not speak and had to be intubated.

Intubation is a procedure required to help save a life when the patient cannot breathe.

It is a process where a healthcare provider inserts a tube through a patient’s mouth or nose, then down into their trachea (airway/windpipe). The tube keeps the trachea open so that air can get through. The tube can connect to a machine that delivers air or oxygen.

According to Cleveland Clinic, common conditions that lead to intubation include airway obstruction (something caught in the airway, blocking the flow of air); cardiac arrest (sudden loss of heart function); injury or trauma to your neck, abdomen or chest that affects the airway; loss of consciousness or a low level of consciousness, which can make a person lose control of the airway.

Others include the need for surgery that will make you unable to breathe on your own; respiratory (breathing) failure or apnea (a temporary stop in breathing) and risk for aspiration (breathing in an object or substance such as food, vomit or blood).

SaharaReporters also reported that Tinubu’s tongue was reportedly sticking out during the time his condition was severe.

“Tinubu’s ailment and health were in shambles before he left Nigeria to undertake treatment in a French hospital,” a source who spoke to SaharaReporters said.

NBA