Dangers of Vaping: Deciphering its Impact on Lung
In the recent decade, vaping has been hailed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking and it gained a lot of popularity. However, studies show that vaping comes with its own risk and holds potential danger to health. Today we will be exploring the impact of vaping on the lungs and the potential dangers that lurk behind the clouds of vaping.
The Vaping Trend:
Vaping devices such as E-cigarettes were introduced as a strategy for those who were trying to quit smoking and as the least harmful alternative. These devices emitted Vapor instead of smoke reducing exposure to harmful substances found in traditional cigarettes. Later studies discovered that the process is way more complex and harmful than what was believed to be the case.
News studies have shown that a growing list of health concerns are linked with vaping, especially about lung health. Due to the use of vaping, there has been a rise in cases of severe lung injuries. These injuries are called EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury). EVALI has been found in people from different age groups and backgrounds having one thing in common “vaping”.
The symptoms of EVALI include:
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Respiratory failure (in severe cases)
Depending on the severity of EVALI, people had to be hospitalized and even ended up in intensive care which shows how severe lung issues can be that are associated with vaping.
Chemicals found in Vapes.
Countless number of chemicals are found in the liquid used in the E-cigarettes. This liquid is known as e-liquid or vape juice by vape users. Many substances found in the liquid are safe to take but their effect on the lungs is still not understood completely. The vaping process leads to the production of many harmful byproducts such as formaldehyde and acrolein, causing detrimental effects on the lungs.
Nicotine is also present in E-cigarettes, it’s highly addictive and of great concern. It causes many health issues, and it makes existing lung issues worse.
Vaping and youth:
There is a surge in vaping among teenagers these days. E-cigarettes are now coming in many flavors to appeal to the young demographics which is leading to addiction among teenagers and people in their 20s. Vaping has a long-term impact on developing lungs because these consequences will follow them for the rest of their lives.
Awareness and Regulation:
There is a significant need for awareness about the dangers of vaping and for regulatory measures against vaping. Some countries have put restrictions on the marketing and sales of vaping products but it’s not enough anymore, comprehensive effort is needed to protect public health.
As the cases of EVALI increase, there is a need to address the hidden dangers of vaping. Steps like public education, better regulations, and awareness programs can help to mitigate the risks associated with the vaping culture.’
