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Particularly among young people, vaping has become very common, yet its effects on lung health raise serious concerns. Alarming increases in vaping related lung damage have lately been shown by research. With 68 deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted approximately 2,800 hospitalizations resulting from EVALI (e cigarettes or vaping device use associated lung injury) by February 2020[ref].
Hospitalizations remained somewhat high even after the CDC ceased monitoring EVALI cases. Between April and December 2020, an additional 903 EVALI hospitalizations were noted, with a mean age of 31 [ref]. These numbers draw attention to the rising public health issue related to vaping and its long term consequences for respiratory conditions.
What is Vaping?
Vaping involves heating a liquid using an electronic cigarette or other equipment to produce a vapor that consumers inhale. These devices, which usually combine propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and sometimes nicotine or THC, are also known as e cigarettes, vape pens, or mods [ref].
Especially among young people, the popularity of vaping has grown dramatically. About 15% of high school pupils used e cigarettes as of 2024 [ref]. The possible long term consequences of this development on lung health have caused worries among medical experts.
Short term Effects on Lungs
Those who vape might have instant respiratory problems:
Vaping might induce coughing, breathing difficulties, chest discomfort, and dyspnea shortly after usage. These symptoms arise from the chemicals in e cigarette vapor aggravating the sensitive tissues of the lungs and airways [ref].
Studies have shown that even short exposure to e cigarette vapor might raise airway resistance. This makes breathing more difficult, as air finds it more difficult to pass in and out of the lungs [ref]. According to some research, these consequences may start five minutes into vaping.
Moreover, several compounds in e cigarettes, including diacetyl, might harm tiny passages in the lungs [ref]. Even momentarily, this injury might cause inflammation and decreased lung capacity.
Long term Consequences
Early studies point to various possible hazards even if the long term consequences of vaping are still under investigation:
Regular vaping may raise the risk of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory diseases [ref]. These disorders can significantly affect the quality of life and call for continuous medical therapy.
Some research suggests that long term e cigarette usage may cause lasting alterations in lung structure and function. Although this injury may not be evident at first, later in life, it may show up as trouble breathing [ref].
Vaping undermines the lungs natural defensive systems, increasing users vulnerability to respiratory diseases like pneumonia [ref].
Comparatively, to conventional smoking, vaping may, in some instances, compromise lung health, even though it is often promoted as a safer substitute for cigarettes [ref]. Both methods expose dangerous substances to the lungs, which causes inflammation and may cause long term damage.
EVALI: A Serious Vaping Related Condition
The serious ailment known as E cigarette or Vaping Product Use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) is connected to:
EVALI first became well known in 2019 when the CDC started looking at a startling rise in hospitalizations linked to vaping. Over 2,800 EVALI cases have been documented by February 2020, leading to 68 fatalities [ref].
EVALI is defined by shortness of breath, cough, chest discomfort, fever, chills, gastrointestinal problems, and nausea and vomiting. Severe cases might require mechanical ventilation and intensive care to help with breathing [ref].
Although the precise origin of EVALI is still unknown, researchers have found that the main offender is vitamin E acetate, an ingredient included in several THC containing vaping products. Other substances contained in e cigarettes, nevertheless, could potentially cause lung damage [ref].
Biological Mechanisms of Lung Damage
Vaping alters the lungs via numerous channels.
The compounds in e cigarette vapor may set off an inflammatory reaction in lung tissue. This inflammation might result in reduced ventilation, edema, and damage to the fragile lung tissues [ref].
Many e cigarettes include components that produce free radicals, which in lung cells may induce oxidative stress. This stress may cause cell damage and death, hence aggravating long term lung problems [ref].
E cigarette vapors may harm the little hair like structures called cilia, which help remove mucus and dirt from the lungs. This can compromise the lungs capacity for self cleansing [ref].
In certain situations, vaping may cause a disorder known as lipoid pneumonia, in which case fatty components from e liquids gather in the lungs and cause inflammation and dyspnea [ref].
Expert Insights
Director of Critical Care at Wockhardt Hospitals, Dr. Charudatt Vaity, offers insightful analysis on vaping and how it affects lung conditions. He underlines that, particularly among young people, vaping is a brand new and developing habit. Although its recent development makes the long term consequences unknown, Dr. Vaity emphasizes that many case studies have stressed its influence on lung health.
Dr. Vaity worries about the simplicity of vaping in public areas where smoking is usually prohibited. Particularly among vulnerable young individuals, this accessibility may result in higher use. Given the presence of nicotine and its acknowledged negative consequences, he underlines that vaping is not a safe or preferable substitute for smoking(ref).
Conclusion
According to the data, both now and in the long run, vaping seriously compromises lung function. Although further study is required to grasp its consequences completely, present studies show that e cigarette usage may cause respiratory problems, lung inflammation, and perhaps significant illnesses like EVALI.
