Vaping FAQs

can vaping cause pneumomediastinum

by Ms. Ariane Reichert Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Consumers who vape tend to overinhale and then forcefully exhale to eliminate the vapor, which is usually produced in much greater quantity than generated by a regular cigarette. Effectively, they are performing an exaggerated Valsalva maneuver. This can increase their risk for developing potential spontaneous pneumomediastinum.

Vaping is also associated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) [7-9], spontaneous pneumothorax [10], pneumorrhachis [11], and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage [12]. It is important to elicit the history of vaping and be vigilant in patients with the above presentations [13].Aug 13, 2021

Full Answer

Does vaping marijuana increase the risk of spontaneous pneumothorax?

It is possible that the combination of marijuana and vaping share similar effects and pathophysiology (that is, carbon monoxide burden and carcinogen additives) contributing to an elevated risk of spontaneous pneumothorax.

Do electronic cigarettes increase the risk of spontaneous pneumothorax?

Although cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for spontaneous pneumothorax [ 7, 8, 9 ], little is known about the contribution of electronic cigarettes to the development of spontaneous pneumothorax. The use of electronic cigarettes has rapidly increased over the past decade, in particular among adolescents and young adults.

Is vaping associated with multiple pulmonary diseases?

Previous case reports have suggested that vaping is associated with multiple pulmonary processes including exogenous lipoid pneumonia, bilateral pleural effusion, bronchiolitis, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, and acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis [ 13, 21, 22, 23, 24 ].

What is spontaneous pneumomediastinum (air stuck in windpipe)?

Air can get stuck in this area because of trauma or leakage from the lungs or windpipe. It is known as spontaneous pneumomediastinum when there is no apparent cause. The condition is rare and accounts for between 1 in 7,000 and 1 in 45,000 cases of hospital admittance.

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What is the most likely cause of pneumomediastinum?

Most often, it occurs when air leaks from any part of the lung or airways into the mediastinum. Increased pressure in the lungs or airways may be caused by: Too much coughing. Repeated bearing down to increase abdominal pressure (such as pushing during childbirth or a bowel movement)

Can vaping cause a pneumothorax?

Smoking is a well-known risk factor for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. There has been evidence that vaping has also been a risk factor and not a safer alternative to traditional smoking. Cessation is always advised with anyone at risk for spontaneous pneumothorax.

How do you get rid of pneumomediastinum?

Treatment. Often, no treatment is required as the air is gradually absorbed from the mediastinum. If pneumomediastinum is accompanied by pneumothorax, a chest tube may be placed. Breathing high concentrations of oxygen may allow the air in the mediastinum to be absorbed more quickly.

How long can pneumomediastinum last?

Most cases of pneumomediastinum resolve in under 2 months .

What are 4 symptoms of the vaping associated lung injury?

What are the symptoms of EVALI?Shortness of breath.Cough.Chest pain.Fever and chills.Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.Rapid heartbeat.Rapid and shallow breathing.

How do you know if your lung is collapsing from vaping?

Signs of a collapsed lung include: Sharp chest or shoulder pain. Shortness of breath. Difficulty breathing.

Is pneumomediastinum fatal?

Pneumomediastinum is an uncommon disorder, normally benign and self-limiting in its spontaneous appearance but can be fatal if it develops in concomitance with preexisting pulmonary conditions [1].

Can pneumomediastinum heal itself?

As air builds up in this space in your chest, you may have shortness of breath or chest pain that moves to your neck or arm. Most cases get better on their own. But if there are problems, you may need to breathe oxygen through a face mask, or have a tube placed in your chest, to help you heal.

Will pneumomediastinum go away?

Conclusion. Pneumomediastinum is very rare and usually clears up over time.

How do I know if I have pneumomediastinum?

The diagnosis can be confirmed via chest X-ray or CT scanning of the thorax. The main symptom is usually severe central chest pain. Other symptoms include laboured breathing, voice distortion (as with helium) and subcutaneous emphysema, specifically affecting the face, neck, and chest.

What does pneumopericardium feel like?

What Are the Symptoms of Pneumopericardium? Pneumopericardium can cause pain and shortness of breath. Not everyone has symptoms of pneumopericardium, though. In some cases, pneumopericardium can lead to a life-threatening complication called cardiac tamponade in which extra air builds up around your heart.

Can pneumomediastinum be seen on xray?

Terminology. In the setting of trauma, if pneumomediastinum is visible on chest x-ray it is termed overt pneumomediastinum whereas if it is only visible on CT then it is termed occult pneumomediastinum 8.

Can vaping cause lung blebs?

It is possible that chronic vaping may also lead to bleb formation.

Can you get pneumothorax from smoking?

This happens when an air-filled blister (bleb) on the lung ruptures and releases air into the pleural space. People who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop a pneumothorax than those who don't. Also, the more you smoke, the greater your chances are of having a pneumothorax.

How long does it take for your lungs to collapse from vaping?

Exposure for just three days was enough to incur sufficient damage to their lungs, setting the stage for long-term chronic lung damage. This damage occurred both with e-cigarettes containing nicotine, and those with just the propylene glycol carrier fluid.

Can you get an air embolism from vaping?

Despite these marketing claims, studies have shown that devices used for vaping like JUUL can result in many of the same conditions as cigarettes, including pulmonary embolisms.

What is a VAPING-INDUCED SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM?

INTRODUCTION: Pneumomediastinum is defined as the presence of air or other gas in the mediastinum also known as mediastinal emphysema.1Pneumomediastinum can be categorized as SPM and secondary pneumomediastinum.

What is the term for the presence of air or other gas in the mediastinum?

INTRODUCTION: Pneumomediastinum is defined as the presence of air or other gas in the mediastinum also known as mediastinal emphysema.1Pneumomediastinum can be categorized as SPM and secondary pneumomediastinum. Secondary pneumomediastinum is caused by blunt or penetrating chest wall trauma, barotrauma from mechanical ventilation, underlying airway diseases, endobronchial and esophageal perforation. Here we report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum linked to vaping.

Abstract

Vaping is the process of inhaling an aerosol produced by heating a liquid or wax containing substances such as nicotine, cannabinoids (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol), flavoring, and additives (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol). The presence of air or gas in the mediastinum is pneumomediastinum.

Introduction

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vaping products were introduced into United States of America (USA) markets in 2007; since then, sales rose rapidly [1].

Case Presentation

A 20-year-old caucasian female with a one-year history of vaping, history of ovarian cyst, and umbilical hernia repair presented in the Emergency room for chest pain evaluation from the previous night. She went to bed that night, and when she woke up, the pain in the chest was still there. She described the chest pain as stabbing and pressure-like.

Discussion

SPM occurs when small alveoli rupture and air leaks from the alveoli into the bronchovascular sheath [17]. Given the negative pressure in the mediastinum, air flows from the lung parenchyma along the vascular sheaths to the hilum and then into the mediastinum.

Conclusions

Physicians and other health care providers should inquire about e-cigarette use in all patients, especially in young individuals.

What are the risk factors for spontaneous pneumothorax?

Risk factors that contribute to the development of spontaneous pneumothorax include tobacco smoking, age (adolescents and young adults), thin stature, and male sex. Furthermore, recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces occurs in 20–60% of patients [ 5 ]. Age, gender, tobacco smoking habits, pneumothorax size, low body mass index (BMI), and treatment modality have been suggested to contribute to recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces [ 4, 6 ]. Although cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for spontaneous pneumothorax [ 7, 8, 9 ], little is known about the contribution of electronic cigarettes to the development of spontaneous pneumothorax.

How long did it take for a Caucasian man to have a recurrent right sided spontaneous pneu?

An 18-year-old Caucasian man presented twice with recurrent right-sided spontaneous pneumothoraces within 2 weeks. He reported a history of vaping just prior to both episodes. Diagnostic testing was notable for a right-sided spontaneous pneumothorax on chest X-ray and computed tomography scan. His symptoms improved following insertion of a chest tube and drainage of air on each occasion. In the 2-week follow-up visit for the recurrent episode, he was asymptomatic and reported that he was no longer using electronic cigarettes.

How many people use electronic cigarettes?

Approximately 20.8% of high school students and 4.8% of adults age 18–34 years currently use e-cigarettes (also known as electronic cigarettes) [ 10 ]. Electronic cigarettes (that is, vapes) are portable, battery-powered devices that heat a complex liquid mixture containing nicotine to produce a vapor that users inhale. Many devices rely on replaceable liquid “pods” that may contain propylene glycol, glycerol, benzoic acid, nicotine, and artificial flavors [ 11 ]. A recent study reported high nicotine concentrations of pods ranging from 21.8 mg/mL to 59.2 mg/mL. These pods have considerably higher levels of nicotine per puff than older generation electronic cigarettes [ 12 ]. The long-term adverse health effects due to vaping are not well known, but several case reports have associated vaping with adverse respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal health effects [ 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 ]. Unfortunately, it remains unknown whether vaping is a risk factor for spontaneous pneumothorax. Here, we describe an 18-year-old man with recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces within 2 weeks that were temporally correlated with vaping.

Is vaping a risk factor for pneumothorax?

Although tobacco smoking is a well-documented risk factor for spontaneous pneumothorax, an association between electronic cigarette use (that is, vaping) and spontaneous pneumothorax has not been noted. We report a case of spontaneous pneumothoraces correlated with vaping.

Does smoking marijuana cause pneumothorax?

Although our patient reported no history of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco use, he did report a history of occasional marijuana use. Although a correlation has been made between marijuana and spontaneous pneumothorax, its causality remains undetermined as most studies were presented as case reports or small case series [ 35, 36, 37 ]. In a 2017 case-control study, daily cannabis smoking combined with tobacco use increased the risk of spontaneous pneumothorax compared to tobacco smoking alone in males [ 35 ]. It is possible that the combination of marijuana and vaping share similar effects and pathophysiology (that is, carbon monoxide burden and carcinogen additives) contributing to an elevated risk of spontaneous pneumothorax. In addition, marijuana smoking increases squamous metaplasia, airway lesions, goblet and basal cell hyperplasia, and cell disorganization [ 38 ]. Pre-existing changes to the airway due to marijuana use could further contribute to the susceptibility of spontaneous pneumothoraces in chronic electronic cigarette users.

Can electronic cigarettes cause pneumothorax?

We hypothesize that electronic cigarette use could potentially increase the risk of spontaneous pneumothorax through the action of both inhaled toxins and through physiologic mechanisms. In marijuana smokers, the increased risk of spontaneous pneumothorax is thought to be partially attributable to deep inhalation followed by a Valsalva maneuver during exhalation [ 25 ]. Repeated deep inhalation through a highly resistive device, such as a water pipe, creating a Muller maneuver, and generating large negative intrathoracic pressure, has also been proposed as a mechanism of spontaneous pneumothorax in marijuana smokers [ 26 ]. Given the airflow resistance of pod-based electronic cigarettes, such as the ones used by this patient, there is certainly potential for a vaping-related Muller maneuver driving spontaneous pneumothorax in this patient. In fact, airflow rates of vaping apparatuses vary from 20 to 102 mL/s [ 27 ].

Do vape pods contain nicotine?

Furthermore, vape liquid pods may contain numerous other compounds and are known to provide unreliable nicotine delivery that is often inconsistent with the labeling [ 29 ]. These liquid pods also contain propylene glycol, which has been shown to induce airway epithelial injury and deep airway inflammation [ 30 ].

How many lung injuries are associated with vaping?

It Can Increase Your Chance of Lung Disease. Shutterstock. On October 10th, the CDC revealed that 1,299 lung injury cases associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products have been reported from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and one U.S. territory. Of those, 26 deaths have been confirmed in 21 states.

How many people have died from vaping?

As mentioned before, at least 26 people in the United States have lost their lives because of their decision to vape. This number could be much higher, considering the likelihood that other people didn't report a history of vaping to their physicians. While more research clearly needs to be done regarding the potential health impact of vaping, the CDC strongly urges that you consider refraining from using e-cigarette, or vaping, products. For resources that can help you quit the use of vape products, visit the CDC's website here. And living your best healthy life can be simple with these 50 Secrets to Live to 100.

When did vaping start?

Vaping—meaning to the use of electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes), e-hookahs, vape pens, tank systems, mods, and electronic nicotine delivery systems—first debuted in 2003, and were marketed as a less-harmful alternative to smoking. A decade-and-a-half later, we are learning that isn't the case.

How many deaths from vaping have been confirmed?

Of those, 26 deaths have been confirmed in 21 states. While it is still unclear of the specific chemical exposure (s) causing these lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping, all patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

How old can you be if you vape?

It Can Age You. Akin to regular smoking, vaping can age you 10 years or more. "Vaping can age your skin similar to cigarettes," board-certified dermatologist Nazanin Saedi, MD, explains. "We know that people who smoke age prematurely, especially their skin.".

What are the chemicals in secondhand car exhaust?

They concluded that secondhand emissions contain, "nicotine; ultrafine particles; flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.". 21.

Does vaping raise blood pressure?

It Can Raise Your Blood Pressure. If your vaping involves nicotine, expect your blood pressure to increase, warns Steven Reisman, MD, New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center. An increase of blood pressure can have a serious impact on your cardiovascular health, increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or heart disease.

How to diagnose pneumomediastinum?

A doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination to diagnose pneumomediastinum. They will probably listen to the chest with a stethoscope.

What factors increase the likelihood of pneumomediastinum?

Factors that increase the likelihood of a pneumomediastinum include: Age: Babies and children may be at greater risk of the condition than adults because their chest tissues are less stiff, resulting in an easier path for air movement. Sex: Approximately 76 percent. Trusted Source.

Why does air get stuck in my chest?

Diagnosis. Treatment. Newborns. Takeaway. Pneumomediastinum is the abnormal presence of air or another gas in the mediastinum. The mediastinum is the center of the chest and is located between the lungs. Air can get stuck in this area because of trauma or leakage from the lungs or windpipe.

How many births does pneumomediastinum cause?

Pneumomediastinum may affect approximately 2 in every 1,000 births. Its occurrence is, however, probably underestimated because it does not always cause symptoms that lead to a diagnosis.

How long does pneumomediastinum last?

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum usually resolves without treatment, although it has been known to persist for over 2 months in some cases.

How rare is spontaneous pneumomediastinum?

spontaneous pneumomediastinum when there is no apparent cause. The condition is rare and accounts for between 1 in 7,000 and 1 in 45,000 cases of hospital admittance . Read on to learn more about the symptoms and treatment of pneumomediastinum.

What is the main symptom of pneumomediastinum?

A severe pain in the chest is the main symptom of pneumomediastinum.

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