The use of e-cigarettes and vapes has greatly increased within the last decade. Additionally, experts predict that these products will continue to grow more popular. While switching to e-cigarettes can help you avoid some of the medical conditions caused by tobacco smoke, vaping comes with health risks of its own.
There are a few main conditions that may be linked to e-cigarettes or vapes:
Because e-cigarettes have not been around for very long, we may not yet understand all of the possible health risks that come with using these products. It’s possible that, in the future, experts will discover that vaping increases your risk of other health conditions.
If you develop a medical condition while using e-cigarettes, you may experience:
E-cigarettes and vaping can damage the lungs in multiple ways.
Lipoid pneumonia develops when you inhale fat or oil products into your lungs. When oil heats up and vaporizes in an e-cigarette, it can enter the lungs.
A collapsed lung can occur when the air sacs in the lungs become damaged and break open, allowing air to be released into the space within the chest.
Popcorn lung has been linked to chemicals such as diacetyl, which is sometimes used as a buttery flavouring in e-cigarettes. Previously, inhaling this chemical caused some cases of popcorn lung among people who worked at a popcorn factory. More research is needed to understand whether breathing in diacetyl found in e-cigarette liquid can also cause this condition.
Several tests can help diagnose lung problems, including:
Lung conditions caused by e-cigarettes may eventually lead to other lung problems. Your lungs may stop working properly (respiratory failure), fluid may build up in the air sacs of your lungs (acute respiratory distress syndrome), or blood may lead into your lungs (diffuse alveolar haemorrhage).
If you develop a condition related to e-cigarettes, you will need to stop vaping to help your lungs heal and prevent further damage.
Depending on your condition, you may use treatments such as corticosteroids or oxygen therapy. Your doctor may also recommend an inhaler, which can help deliver medication into your airways.
In some cases, you may need surgery so that your doctor can remove damaged lung tissue.
Quitting e-cigarettes can reduce your risk of health problems. You can also protect your lung health by staying away from other chemicals that can damage your lungs. Additionally, avoiding infections can help your lungs continue to work normally, especially if they have been damaged by substances from e-cigarettes. Wash your hands regularly, keep your distance from people who may be sick, and stay up to date with your vaccinations.