E-cigarettes and vaping have grown to be increasingly popular, especially among young generations and individuals who are trying to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. Positioned in the market as a safer option, these products are deemed by most to be less dangerous than cigarettes. The bad news however is that increased research and field practice show that vaping is anything but harmless, especially to the lungs.
What are Vapes and E-Cigarettes?
Vapes or e-cigarettes are battery-powered electronic devices that burn a liquid (usually called e-liquid or vape juice) to produce an aerosol that is inhaled. The liquids are usually flavored, contain nicotine, and other chemicals. Some devices allow the use of chemicals such as THC or CBD. Even though the e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, they get the nicotine and other chemicals into the lungs directly. This can cause a host of short-term and long-term health problems.
Nicotine shows up in most e-liquids and is extremely addictive. Nicotine kills the teen brain, raises blood pressure, and causes heart disease. Propylene glycol, glycerin, and other flavor chemicals are the composition of most e-liquids. These chemicals break down into dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein when they are burned. Certain appliances release metals like lead, nickel, and tin from the hot surfaces and get inhaled into the lungs. Moreover, vaping can cause symptoms and problems within minutes of smoking and including:
- Sore throat and cough: Most users feel a cough, dry or sore throat, and soreness upon vaping.
- Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath or wheezing occurs in some people.
- Chest tightness: Vaping can cause chest tightness or pain that is serious enough to require medical treatment.
What Is EVALI- Vaping-Associated Lung Injury?
In 2019, doctors began seeing increasingly more instances of a serious lung illness after vaping on e-cigarettes, which came to be known as EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury). Symptoms may consist of:
- Intense feeling of breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Malaria
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
EVALI is deadly and has caused serious complications, especially among healthy young patients.
What Are the Long-term Risks To The Lungs?
While vaping has not been around long enough for there to have been long-term studies, early case reports and data raise some concerns:
- Chronic bronchitis: Years of exposure to aerosol from vaping could lead to airway inflammation and chronic cough, and production of mucus.
- Asthma attacks: Vaping would worsen asthma symptoms or trigger an asthma attack in people who already have a lung condition.
- Damaged lung development: In young adults and teenagers, the use of e-cigarettes contributes to the development and function of abnormally formed lungs.
- Increased susceptibility to infection: Vaping disarms the immunological protection of the lungs, making vapers susceptible to respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. The temperature of the vapor could damage the lining of the airways, thereby impairing their ability to remove bacteria and debris.
People get addicted to the vapes since E-liquids are sweet, fruity, or minty, and these are more attractive to consumers, especially the young ones. These flavor chemical substances are far from harmless. A few among them, like diacetyl (used for butter flavoring), are linked to a serious lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung.”
Additionally, recent evidence has shown that vapers will probably be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Damaged lungs and compromised immunity diminish the body’s capability to fight respiratory viruses.
It is also important to note that the vapers are not the only ones at risk. The aerosol that they exhale heavily impacts the others near them, including their family members, friends, and even pets.
Are E-Cigarettes Less Harmful than Traditional Cigarettes?
Even though fewer harmful chemicals are utilized in e-cigarettes compared to regular cigarettes, they are not safe. They still release the dangerous chemicals and the addictive nicotine into the lungs. For a non-smoker, becoming a vaper introduces new health risks. For a smoker, it will minimize some of the risks, but quitting the nicotine altogether will be best for the lungs. If you vape, do the following:
- Get help to quit by talking to your doctor or counselor.
- Get updated with the latest research and health alerts.
- For parents and caregivers, directly talk to young people about vaping risks.
- Be straightforward with your expectations and provide genuine facts.
Vaping and e-cigarettes are not safe. Lung hazards are extremely real and have been recognized as severe diseases, especially among young people. Preserving your lungs involves making informed choices and eliminating items with the ability to cause long-term damage.