Here’s what a recent study says about vaping and your lungs
Health experts continue to examine what caused the spate of serious lung injuries linked to vaping that grabbed headlines throughout 2019.
But a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that adults who vape over a few years could be at higher risk for chronic respiratory disease such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.
“Use of e-cigarettes is an independent risk factor for respiratory disease in addition to combustible tobacco smoking,” the study says. “Dual use, the most common use pattern, is riskier than using either product alone.”
Dr. Charles Alex, a pulmonologist at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., says that until more studies are completed, the use of e-cigarettes is not recommended.
“More and more cases of severe acute lung injury with the use of e-cigarettes are being reported, often requiring hospitalization,” Dr. Alex says. “Recently, a user developed irreparable lung damage from vaping and eventually underwent bilateral lung transplantation.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that as of late December, 2,561 vaping cases ended up in hospitals, and those cases span all 50 states.
“The cause of the injury is not entirely clear, but data is emerging that incriminates the many substances that can be found in e-cigarettes such as nicotine, cannabis and various flavorings,” Dr. Alex says. “In addition, the heat for these devices can cause irritation and inflammation of the lung airways.”
Want to read more? Check out some of our recent vaping and smoking coverage:
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About the Author
Mike Riopell, health enews contributor, is a media relations coordinator with Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. He previously worked as a reporter and editor covering politics and government for the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and Bloomington Pantagraph, among others. He enjoys bicycles, home repair, flannel shirts and being outside.
Wow! This author could not be more wrong. There is updated information on the CDC webside, I suggest you check it out and update your article. The CDC has finally admitted that 100% of the samples they tested contained vitamin E acetate found in black market illegal thc cartridges sold by drug dealers. They’ve also amended their recommendations and no longer caution against all vaping. The hospitalizations had nothing to do with nicotine containing e liquid. In fact, peer reviewed research suggests that vaping can actually improve COPD! Please, as a health care organization be aware that your articles dissuade current smokers from making the switch to a 95% less harmful alternative. There are 480,000 smokers who die each year. Those are lives you could save with more accurate information. There is no tar or carbon monoxide with vaping- those are the killers with cigarette smoke. People smoke for the nicotine but die from the tar.