Vaping FAQs

can vaping cause spontaneous pneumothorax

by Harrison Hoppe Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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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.

Full Answer

Why did I get This spontaneous pneumothorax?

This is when a pneumothorax develops in an otherwise healthy person, for no apparent reason. It’s the most common type of pneumothorax and happens most often in healthy young adults. Primary spontaneous pneumothoraxes occur due to a small tear on the outer part of the lung.

What are symptoms of spontaneous pneumomediastinum?

Pneumomediastinum

  • Causes and risk factors. Pneumomediastinum can happen when pressure rises in the lungs and causes the air sacs (alveoli) to rupture.
  • Symptoms. The main symptom of pneumomediastinum is chest pain. ...
  • Diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT). ...
  • Treatment and management options. The air will eventually reabsorb into your body. ...
  • Pneumomediastinum in newborns. ...
  • Outlook. ...

Is spontaneous pneumothorax life threatening?

Spontaneous pneumothorax is regarded as a common and benign clinical entity, however, it can be life-threatening if it progress to tension pneumothorax. While tension pneumothorax can develop abruptly, cardiovascular compromise progress more gradually due to the existence of a compensatory mechanism.

What are the signs of pneumothorax?

Typical clinical signs of a pneumothorax include:

  • Tachypnoea
  • Tachycardia
  • Hypoxia
  • Reduced breath sounds on the affected side
  • Hyperresonance on the affected side
  • Tracheal deviation away from the affected side: this is a clinical sign of tension pneumothorax and warrants prompt treatment with decompression.

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Does vaping cause lung blebs?

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

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

Typically, the blisters are not problematic. But both vaping and smoking increase the risk of bursting which can lead to lung collapse. Signs of a collapsed lung include sharp chest or shoulder pain, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

Does smoking cause spontaneous pneumothorax?

The risk of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is linked to tobacco smoking and increases with length of exposure and daily consumption. Cigarette-induced pathologic changes in the small airways might contribute to the development of local emphysema with consequent formation of bullae.

Can vaping cause lung problems?

Lung disease: Vaping can make asthma and other existing lung diseases worse. Breathing in the harmful chemicals from vaping products can cause irreversible (cannot be cured) lung damage, lung disease and, in some cases, death.

How long does vaping take to damage lungs?

Exposure for just three days was enough to incur sufficient damage to their lungs, setting the stage for long-term chronic lung damage.

What are the symptoms of vaping too much?

Symptoms include:Persistent cough.Chest pain.Shortness of breath.Some users may even experience diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and fatigue before any breathing problems develop.

What is the most common cause of spontaneous pneumothorax?

In most cases of spontaneous pneumothorax, the cause is unknown. Tall and thin adolescent males are typically at greatest risk, but females can also have this condition. Other risk factors include connective tissue disorders, smoking, and activities such as scuba diving, high altitudes and flying.

Is vaping worse than smoking?

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.

How do lungs heal from vaping?

However, there are certain lifestyle behaviors you can practice to try and accelerate the rate at which your lungs heal.Drink Lots Of Water. ... Eat Healthy Foods. ... Exercise Regularly. ... Cough. ... Clean Your Living Space. ... Practice Deep Breathing. ... Try Steam Therapy.

How much vaping is too much?

Even today, many high-profile sources list the toxic dose of nicotine (the LD50 – or the dose that will kill about half of people exposed) as between 30 and 60 mg. To put this in context of vaping, this would be about 4 ml of 12 mg/ml e-liquid. d.

Can a doctor tell if you vape?

Medical tests can detect nicotine in people's urine, blood, saliva, hair, and nails. Nicotine is the addictive substance in tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes or e-cigarettes.

What are 5 risks of vaping?

Vaping has been linked to lung injury.Rapid onset of coughing.Breathing difficulties.Weight loss.Nausea and vomiting.Diarrhea.

Is lung damage from vaping reversible?

E-cigarettes are also known as vape pens, hookah pens, vaporizers and e-pipes. The American Lung Association says inhaling ingredients found in e-cigarettes may expose people to high levels of toxins, which can cause irreversible lung damage and lung diseases.

How do lungs heal from vaping?

However, there are certain lifestyle behaviors you can practice to try and accelerate the rate at which your lungs heal.Drink Lots Of Water. ... Eat Healthy Foods. ... Exercise Regularly. ... Cough. ... Clean Your Living Space. ... Practice Deep Breathing. ... Try Steam Therapy.

Can a collapsed lung heal?

Symptoms usually include sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. On some occasions, a collapsed lung can be a life-threatening event. Treatment for a pneumothorax usually involves inserting a needle or chest tube between the ribs to remove the excess air. However, a small pneumothorax may heal on its own.

Are my lungs collapsing?

Common symptoms of a collapsed lung include: Sharp chest or shoulder pain, made worse by a deep breath or a cough. Shortness of breath. Nasal flaring (from shortness of breath)

What is a spontaneous pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax is the collection of air in the pleural space [ 1 ]. Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is a pneumothorax that occurs without an obvious cause. Most SPs are classified as primary (PSP), in which the patient has no underlying lung disease, or secondary, in which the patient does have underlying lung disease such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, infection, malignancy, or congenital malformation in the pediatric population [ 2 ]. Rates in children are 4 per 100,000 persons in males and 1.1 per 100,000 persons in females [ 3 ]. PSP is more common in young, healthy patients, and tobacco and cannabis smoking are the main risk factor [ 4, 5 ]. However, to our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the risk of PSP due to electronic cigarette use or “vaping.” We present two adolescent patients who experienced SP while vaping.

How to treat SP in vaping?

For patients with vaping associated SP, we recommend standard treatment with tube thoracostomy for initial pneumothorax with smoking and vaping cessation interventions and surgery reserved for recurrence. Management of SP is based on size and symptoms. Clinically stable patients with large pneumothoraces, defined as size greater than 2 cm by the British Thoracic Society 2010 guidelines, 3 cm by the American College of Chest Physicians Delphi Consensus Statement, or small and symptomatic pneumothoraces, should undergo lung re-expansion procedures, which were done for our two patients [1,17,18]. These are often with small-bore (≤14Fr) catheters which are kept in place until air leaks resolve and the lung re-expands [17]. If patients smoke or vape, cessation counselling should be provided. The best way to reduce the risk of SP in tobacco smokers is to quit smoking, and we apply this principal in our recommendations [14]. Surgical intervention via VATS with pleurodesis and blebectomy (when bullae are present) is typically reserved for failure of lung expansion with chest tube, persistent air leaks, bilateral pneumothorax, or recurrent pneumothorax (second ipsilateral or first contralateral), the latter being the case for both of our patients [2,17,18]. Although the recurrence rates are lower, 16–28%, morbidity is higher [2,19].

Why is vaping important?

A comprehensive smoking history that includes vaping is important in patients presenting with suspected pneumothoraces as it can lead to earlier cessation interventions, help prevent recurrence, and raise suspicion for pneumothorax in patients presenting without severe symptoms.

How far along the upper left lung is the left pneumothorax?

Fig. 1. Left pneumothorax measuring up to 2.7 cm along the upper left lung and 0.8 cm laterally.

Is vaping a risk factor for pneumothorax?

Conclusion. Vaping is a risk factor for spontaneous pneumothorax. Practitioners should inquire about vaping when taking a complete patient history to properly counsel patients on smoking cessation and prevent future recurrence.

Is vaping a risk factor for SP?

These two cases establish vaping as a risk factor for SP. As vaping rates continue to rise, they highlight the importance of asking adolescent patients about a history of vaping in addition to tobacco, cannabis and other drug use. In both cases, we did not discover the history of vaping in either patient prior to their second presentation of SP. Although sometimes difficult to ascertain in this population, even with direct questioning, discovery of vaping can lead to earlier cessation interventions, help prevent future SP, and raise suspicion for SP in patients presenting without severe symptoms. We advocate for and encourage legislators to enact stricter standards of quality control for electronic cigarettes.

Is smoking marijuana a pulmonary hazard?

Pulmonary hazards of smoking marijuana as compared with tobacco

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.

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 ].

Is vaping bad for you?

The potential adverse health effects of vaping have not been established , despite their growing use [ 19, 20 ]. 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 ]. Here, we report a correlation between vaping and recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces for the first time.

What is the chemical that can damage your lungs?

Acrolein: Most often used as a weed killer, this chemical can also damage lungs.

What is a vape pen?

With vaping, a device (typically a vape pen or a mod — an enhanced vape pen — that may look like a flash drive) heats up a liquid ( called vape juice or e -liquid) until it turns into a vapor that you inhale. “Vaping is a delivery system similar to a nebulizer, which people with asthma or other lung conditions may be familiar with,” says Broderick. ...

What to do if your lung hurts?

What to Do If Your Lungs Hurt. If you smoke or vape, don’t brush off chest or lung pain as something that’s normal. If you have pain or other symptoms associated with breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath and chronic cough, it’s important to see a doctor.

What is the condition called when you get sick from eating popcorn?

“Popcorn lung” is another name for bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a rare condition that results from damage of the lungs’ small airways. BO was originally discovered when popcorn factory workers started getting sick. The culprit was diacetyl, a food additive used to simulate butter flavor in microwave popcorn.

Does vaping affect the lungs?

Instead of bathing lung tissue with a therapeutic mist, just as a nebulizer does, vaping coats lungs with potentially harmful chemicals. E-liquid concoctions usually include some mix of flavorings, aromatic additives and nicotine or THC (the chemical in marijuana that causes psychological effects), dissolved in an oily liquid base.

Is second hand vapor safe?

Secondhand Vapor Isn’t Safe Either. It’s a myth that secondhand emissions from e-cigarettes are harmless. Many people think the secondhand vapor is just water, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. The vapor emitted when someone exhales contains a variety of dangerous substances, which may include: Nicotine.

Does diacetyl help with 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. There are, however, treatments that manage BO symptoms, such as:

How common is spontaneous pneumothorax?

How common is spontaneous pneumothorax? According to NHI, each year, on average, 7.4 to 18 per 100,000 men , and 1.2 to 6 per 100,000 women are affected by the condition. Taking this into account, wouldn’t be seeing A LOT more of this kind of thing if vaping caused spontaneous pneumothorax? Like hundreds of thousands of cases a year? And big spikes in incidences that track alongside the rise of the vaping during the past several years?

How many blebs are there in a pneumothorax?

Affected individuals may have one bleb to more than thirty blebs.”.

How many vapers are there worldwide?

Could vaping have played a factor? Possibly. But when you consider that there are over 42 million vapers worldwide and there hasn’t been another case of this documented, it stands to reason that the collapsed lung was most likely the result of a pre-existing condition that was already in play, regardless of the JUUL.

Why do blebs rupture?

Many things can cause a bleb to rupture, such as changes in air pressure or a very sudden deep breath.

Did Juul cause a collapsed lung?

The man in question believed it was his JUUL habit that had caused his collapsed lung, a point the Daily Mail was quick to jump on. The Mail Online, as ever, did not check its sources, and it’s not entirely clear whether vaping had any role in his collapsed lung. More on that in a bit, though.

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