Vaping and Popcorn Lung Diacetyl is frequently added to flavored e-liquid to enhance the taste. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and may lead to permanent scarring in the smallest branches of the airways — popcorn lung — which makes breathing difficult.
Breathing in the harmful chemicals from vaping products can cause irreversible (cannot be cured) lung damage, lung disease and, in some cases, death. Some chemicals in vaping products can also cause cardiovascular disease and biological changes that are associated with cancer development.
The Benefits of Quitting
Additionally, quitting vaping will improve your blood circulation and enable your lungs to begin healing. This will result in fewer coughing episodes and improved breathing ability during physical activity.
However, it typically takes years, even decades for those conditions to develop. But with vaping, we're seeing lung damage developing in much less time; often under a year.
Primary medication treatments include antibiotics and/or antivirals until infection is ruled out as well as corticosteroids to help fight inflammation in the lungs. Patients with more severe cases will need hospitalization and, because they may be unable to breathe on their own, could be placed on a ventilator.
The lung damage he has seen in patients is the equivalent to someone smoking cigarettes for decades. "It literally can kill you the first time you try it," he says.
Many studies show that vaping is far less harmful than smoking. This is because e-cigarettes don't contain cancer-causing tobacco, and most of the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes are not in e-cigarettes. Some potentially harmful chemicals have been found in e-cigarettes.
“While there is growing evidence to show that vaping is a risky behavior with potential long-term health consequences for users,” says Hariri, “our research also suggests that quitting can be beneficial and help to reverse some of the disease.”
The most common symptoms of lung disease are shortness of breath and cough, though many other conditions share these symptoms. It is important to let your doctor know if you're experiencing them so you can be evaluated for lung disease if necessary.
A smoker typically puffs on a cigarette around 10-15 times before putting it out, so let's be conservative and estimate that puffing on a vape 15 times is approximately equal to smoking one cigarette. If that's the case, then a disposable vape that delivers 600 puffs is equal to about two packs of cigarettes.
Vaping and Popcorn Lung
Diacetyl is frequently added to flavored e-liquid to enhance the taste. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and may lead to permanent scarring in the smallest branches of the airways — popcorn lung — which makes breathing difficult. Popcorn lung has no lasting treatment.
If You've Vaped Too Much...
The most common and least serious situation is being nauseous or having a headache after vaping too much. Usually, if you stop vaping you'll feel better soon. It is key, though, to stop as soon as you feel any symptoms - if you try and power through it you'll only feel worse.
Popcorn lung is a rare condition that causes airway scarring due to inflammation and eventually lung damage. Although there is no cure for popcorn lung, treatments can help with managing symptoms. While treatments exist to limit and manage symptoms, popcorn lung is considered life-threatening.
For a spirometry test:
You'll be given a mouthpiece that is attached to a machine called a spirometer. You'll place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece, and breathe in and out as instructed by your provider. The spirometer will measure the amount and rate of air flow over a period of time.
A problem with your lungs or airways
This means your airways have narrowed and you'll produce more phlegm (sticky mucus), which causes you to wheeze and cough. You'll feel breathless because it's difficult to move air in and out of your airways.
In some states, deaths have occurred. E-cigarette aerosol inhaled deep into your lungs can contain cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, and ultrafine particles that can harm not only your lungs but the rest of your body.
1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe.
The long-term effects of vaping are unknown but vaping has been estimated to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking. Colin Mendelsohn was a Sydney GP for 27 years with a special interest in smoking cessation and now works exclusively in tobacco treatment, helping smokers to quit.
Under state and territory laws, it is illegal to possess, supply or sell nicotine containing e-cigarettes, except: in specific circumstances. and when they are being supplied or accessed through a prescription.
Try changing your daily routine to avoid “triggers” that cause you to want to vape. It may be best to avoid certain situations in the early stages of quitting. Prepare for cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Learn about stress-reducing activities like meditation or taking a brisk walk to keep yourself busy.