Vaping FAQs

what are the lung illnesses caused by vaping

by Zola Homenick MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Lung-related vape injuries include:

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): According to the American Lung Association, ARDS causes the lungs to fill up with fluid. ...
  • Popcorn lung: Popcorn lung is a rare lung condition characterized by the scarring of lung tissue. ...
  • Lipoid pneumonia: In 2019, scientists from the University of Utah noted the similarities between vape-related lung illnesses and lipoid pneumonia. ...

EVALI is a serious medical condition in which a person's lungs become damaged from substances contained in e-cigarettes and vaping products. Vaping involves using a device known as an e-cigarette—also called a vape pen, mod, or tank—to heat up a small amount of liquid, turning it into a vapor that can be inhaled.

Full Answer

What illnesses are caused by vaping?

Vaping illnesses and injuries associated with nicotine and chemical exposure may include:

  • Asthma
  • Brain development issues
  • Bronchitis
  • Bronchiolitis obliterans (aka Popcorn Lung – caused by exposure to the flavoring chemical diacetyl)
  • Heart problems
  • Respiratory illnesses

What are the negative health effects of vaping?

The short-term side effects of using nicotine vapes are usually:

  • Lingering aftertaste
  • Light-headedness
  • Sweating
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased heart rate

Can vaping damage your lungs?

Vaping causes lung damage due to the chemicals in the vape liquid, the chemicals created when the vape liquid is heated and the heavy metals from the vape heater that enter the aerosol/gas as you inhale. The good news is that the human body is an amazing creation and starts healing in less than 20 minutes after that final cigarette or vape.

What does vaping do to your lungs?

Vaping-related Lung Injury

  • Risks related to vaping. Exposure to nicotine: Nicotine is highly addictive, can harm adolescent brain development, and is toxic to fetuses.
  • Symptoms of vaping-related lung injury. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION if you, or someone you know, are experiencing these symptoms. ...
  • Additional information. ...

See more

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What lung diseases can vaping cause?

Vaping-related lipoid pneumonia is the result of inhaling oily substances found in e-liquid, which sparks an inflammatory response in the lungs....Vaping-Related Lipoid PneumoniaChronic cough.Shortness of breath.Coughing up blood or blood-tinged mucus.

What are the symptoms of vaping lung illness?

What Are the Symptoms of EVALI?Shortness of breath.Dry cough.Fever.Chills.Vomiting.Diarrhea.Abdominal pain.Headache.More items...•

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.

Can my lungs recover from vaping?

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.

How long does it take to get lung disease from vaping?

Who's Most at Risk. Anyone who's vaped in the last 90 days is at risk for EVALI. You don't have to be older or already sick. “Many of these patients were normal, healthy people,” Tsai says.What Are the Early Warning Signs of Vaping Illness? - WebMDhttps://www.webmd.com › lung › vaping-illness-symptomshttps://www.webmd.com › lung › vaping-illness-symptomsSearch for: How long does it take to get lung disease from vaping?

How do you treat a vape lung?

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.E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)https://www.lung.org › lung-disease-lookup › evalihttps://www.lung.org › lung-disease-lookup › evaliSearch for: How do you treat a vape lung?

Is my vape making me sick?

Vaping-related illness initially mimics a progressive pneumonia, with onset over several days to months. Symptoms include increasing shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, chest pain and coughing up blood. Also seen are fever, chills, fatigue and muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache.Vaping Illness: What We Know About This Mysterious Conditionhttps://www.nationwidechildrens.org › 2019/09 › vaping-...https://www.nationwidechildrens.org › 2019/09 › vaping-...Search for: Is my vape making me sick?

What are 6 symptoms of EVALI?

What are symptoms of EVALI?Respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain.Gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea.Nonspecific constitutional symptoms, like fever, chills, or weight loss.Frequently Asked Questions | Electronic Cigarettes | CDChttps://www.cdc.gov › tobacco › severe-lung-disease › faqhttps://www.cdc.gov › tobacco › severe-lung-disease › faqSearch for: What are 6 symptoms of EVALI?

How many deaths from evali in 2020?

As of February 18, 2020, a total of 2,807 hospitalized EVALI cases or deaths have been reported to CDC from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands). Sixty-eight deaths have been confirmed in 29 states and the District of Columbia (as of February 18, 2020).

What is vitamin E acetate?

Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Vitamin E is a vitamin found in many foods, including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, fruits, and vegetables. It is also available as a dietary supplement and in many cosmetic products, like skin creams.

What is the substance in marijuana?

The liquid can contain: nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinoid (CBD) oils, and other substances, flavorings, and additives. THC is the psychoactive mind-altering compound of marijuana that produces the “high.”

What is an e-cigarette?

Using an e-cigarette is commonly called vaping. E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs.

When did the CDC stop collecting data?

Due to the subsequent identification of the primary cause of EVALI, and the considerable decline in EVALI cases and deaths since a peak in September 2019, CDC stopped collecting these data from states as of February 2020.

How to contact CDC about e-cigarettes?

If you have questions about CDC’s investigation into the lung injuries associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products, contact CDC-INFO or call 1-800-232-4636.

Where to report evali?

CDC encourages clinicians to continue to report possible cases of EVALI to their local or state health department for further investigation.

What is the FDA seeking?

Image. Español. FDA is seeking unpublished data and information related to the use of vaping products associated with recent lung injuries. FDA is seeking information on product design and potential ways to prevent consumers from modifying or adding substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturers.

Why is it important to know the compounds in a sample?

It is important to stress that identifying any compounds present in the samples linked to patient cases is but one piece of the puzzle and will not necessarily answer questions about causality, which makes ongoing work critical at both the state and federal levels. Every day the FDA and partners are gathering more information and seek to use that information to better understand the relationship between any specific products or substances and the reported illnesses. Importantly, the variations of use patterns, products or substances reportedly used and the samples being tested may mean there are multiple causes of these injuries.

What chemicals are analyzed by the FDA?

The FDA is analyzing samples submitted by a number of states for the presence of a broad range of chemicals, including nicotine, THC and other cannabinoids, along with cutting agents/diluents and other additives, pesticides, opioids, poisons, heavy metals and toxins .

What is THC in vaping?

In many cases, patients told healthcare personnel or health department staff of recent use of vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, a psychoactive component of the marijuana plant).

How to report a problem with tobacco?

If you experience a problem with any tobacco product, such as an unexpected health or safety issue, report it online using the Safety Reporting Portal. You may submit reports about any tobacco product, including cigarettes, roll-your-own cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco. You can also report problems with the components and parts of tobacco products. The FDA website has more information on what to include in a report.

When did the evali peak?

National emergency department data and active case reporting from state health departments around the country show a sharp rise in symptoms or cases of EVALI in June 2019, a peak in September 2019, and a gradual, but persistent decline since then.

What is the CDC?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with states to determine if cases are confirmed or probable after examining the medical records of suspected cases. Please see the CDC’s website for updated cases. These numbers may change frequently.

What are the symptoms of evali?

As CDC gleaned data from medical records, they found that patients eventually diagnosed with EVALI initially had some of the following symptoms: 1 Cough. 2 Chest pain. 3 Shortness of breath. 4 Abdominal pain. 5 Nausea. 6 Vomiting. 7 Diarrhea. 8 Fever. 9 Chills. 10 Weight loss.

What is the e-cigarette vaping outbreak?

Lung injuries and a spate of deaths are the result of what's now called EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury). (Getty Images) The outbreak has raised nationwide concern and questions about the effects of vaping on the lungs.

How many young people use e-cigarettes?

About 1 in 5 young adults between ages 18 to 38 uses e-cigarettes either daily or recreationally, according to survey data released by the American Society of Clinical Oncology in September. Nearly 1 in 4 young adults believes that the products are harmless and not addictive, the ASCO survey found.

What are the symptoms of e-cigarettes?

If you've recently used e-cigarettes or other vaping devices, what could make you suspect that you might have EVALI? Shortness of breath and cough are primary symptoms. Some patients also have symptoms of gastric illness and even weight loss.

Which state has no e-cigarettes?

Alaska is the only state without a reported EVALI case. Scientists with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are working to identify patterns that are common to EVALI patients and their vaping and e-cigarette use.

How many samples has the FDA received?

"FDA has received or collected over 900 samples from 25 states to date," Zeller noted.

How old are people with evali?

As a group, those who died were older, with a median age of 53. However, young people have died, too. Overall, fatal cases have occurred in people ranging from 17 to 75 years old. It's not surprising that higher proportions of young people are affected by ...

What are the effects of smoking?

The recent tragic and alarming cases of severe lung disease are clearly cause for concern. A number of other health effects are also worrisome: 1 Nicotine is highly addictive and can affect the developing brain, potentially harming teens and young adults. Even some "nicotine-free" e-cigarettes have been found to contain nicotine. 2 Some substances found in e-cigarette vapor have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. 3 Teens who vape are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes. 4 Explosions and burns have been reported with e-cigarettes while recharging the devices, due to defective batteries. 5 Accidental exposure to liquid from e-cigarettes has caused acute nicotine poisoning in children and adults. 6 Vaping during pregnancy could harm a developing fetus.

What are the chemicals in e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes produce a number of dangerous chemicals including acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. These aldehydes can cause lung disease, as well as cardiovascular (heart) disease. Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, put nicotine into your lungs and bloodstream.

Is vaping safe for pregnant women?

The CDC’s position is that "E-cigarettes have the potential to benefit adult smokers who are not pregnant if used as a complete substitute for regular cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products." Meanwhile, the FDA warns that vaping is "not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products."

How many puffs can you have with vaping?

With vaping, you can have one or two puffs, be satisfied, and be done whenever you want. You are not committed. You might only need one puff, then maybe five minutes later you take another one. You won’t overdo because your brain will never have to justify it as an expense if you stop now. You just stop now.

How much ohm is toxic?

It is likely that the super-heating of e-liquids that takes place in an RBA run at less than 1 oh m will create some toxic materials.

What are the symptoms of vapors?

Typically, symptoms have started gradually, with shortness of breath and/or chest pain before more severe breathing difficulty led to hospital admission.

How many people have lung disease from e-cigarettes?

According to the CDC: Nearly 200 e-cigarette users have developed severe lung disease in 22 states (and the numbers keep rising — a Washington Post story put the number at 354). Most cases were among teens and young adults.

What is the difference between evali and lipoid pneumonia?

a, bThe histologic distinction between exogenous lipoid pneumonia and electronic cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) is dramatic and distinctive. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia shows numerous lipid vacuoles a, most of which are much larger than individual cells. There is associated fibrosis in which many of the droplets are embedded. Occasional macrophages contain lipid droplets within their cytoplasm. However, the droplets are much larger and more variable (arrow) compared to EVALI, H&E, × 100. Larger lipid vacuoles are surrounded by several multinucleated giant cells and a foreign body giant cell reaction (arrowhead) b, a feature not seen in EVALI, H&E, × 200

What stains are used for ALI?

All cases of ALI, regardless of the pathologic pattern, should include testing for infectious organisms with acid-fast bacilli and Grocott’s methenamine silver (GMS) stains at a minimum. If there is significant necrosis and neutrophilic inflammation, viral immunohistochemistry may also be considered (cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, adenovirus). Oil red-O does not have a clear role in the histologic assessment and work-up of lung specimens, especially considering that fresh, unprocessed tissue must be used for effective Oil red-O. Despite the low sensitivity and specificity of Oil red-O, it remains on many clinical algorithms [30] for the pathologic work-up suspected EVALI. However, given its lack of utility, Oil red-O is not necessary for diagnostic purposes in suspected EVALI cases, cytology or surgical pathology specimens.

What is the term for the accumulation of endogenous cellular lipid material from epithelial injury?

The fine cytoplasmic vacuoles encountered in the macrophages actually represent the accumulation of endogenous cellular lipid material from epithelial injury, a process referred to as endogenous lipoid pneumonia. Endogenous lipoid pneumonia is seen in a variety of settings including acute lung injury, obstructed airways, and infections [23–25].

How long does it take for eli to show up?

Symptoms occur anywhere from hours to weeks prior to presentation. Laboratory tests commonly reveal an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein level, transaminitis, and leukocytosis [13]. To meet the CDC criteria for a “confirmed” EVALI case, patients must have vaped within 90 days before symptom onset, have bilateral infiltrates on chest imaging, have a negative evaluation for infection, and have no other plausible alternative diagnoses. Cases of “Probable” EVALI share similar criteria, except that infection may be present, but the clinical team caring for the patient has high confidence that infection is not the primary cause for the patient’s respiratory condition.

What is an end vape?

ENDS, also known as E-cigarettes and vaping devices, were originally developed as a replacement device for conventional tobacco cigarette smokers [1]. However, their success in the arena of smoking cessation has been very limited, and they remain unapproved as cessation tools due to a lack of data demonstrating efficacy relative to currently approved nicotine replacement therapies [2]. The aerosols produced by E-cigarettes are known to cause a variety of deleterious health effects, although more research and long-term studies are still needed [2]. E-devices have rapidly evolved since entering the international market in 2013, with vape pens, box mods, and pod-based devices being the most commonly used vaping devices in 2020 [3]. Although E-cigarettes are used in conjunction with conventional tobacco by many cigarette smokers (dual users), their sole use in young adults and adolescents has skyrocketed [4]. This is concerning as use of tobacco products had been declining worldwide for over 50 years, and now, a new generation of nicotine addicts is being created through these novel vaping devices through the use of appealing flavors and packaging [5]. Even more concerning is that children and teenagers who use E-cigarettes are more likely to smoke conventional tobacco [6].

What is giant cell interstitial pneumonia?

Rare descriptions of additional patterns of lung injury have been described, including giant cell interstitial pneumonia that is a form of pneumoconiosis related to hard metal exposure and shows the accumulation of numerous multinucleated giant cells within the air spaces.

Is lipoid pneumonia a pathologic disease?

Despite the published reports of lipoid pneumonia as a mechanism of injury in EVALI, no well-characterized radiologic and pathologic cases have been published. Most of the clinicopathologic diagnoses of lipoid pneumonia have been based on the finding of lipid-laden macrophages in BAL cytology specimens (discussed in detail below). To date, there have been no HRCT features of classic exogenous lipoid pneumonia, specifically the demonstration of macroscopic fat on HRCT, described in the literature.

Should Nicotine Vapers and Smokers Be Worried?

In short, no. The evidence continues to indicate that poorly manufactured street vapes containing THC or other substances are to blame for the vast majority or all of these illnesses. Nicotine vaping products have been used around the world for over twelve years with no evidence of any prior ‘outbreak’ of lung illnesses. Despite intensive investigations by the CDC, FDA, and state health departments, no contaminant, chemical of concern, or chemical abnormality has been discovered in a nicotine vaping product used by any of the lung illness victims.

What Has Testing Found?

On September 5th, the New York State Department of Health reported that laboratory test results showed “very high levels of vitamin E acetate in nearly all cannabis-containing samples” they tested. For each patient who submitted a product, at least one of their cartridges contained vitamin E acetate, which is used as a thickening agent in illicit cartridges. For more on vitamin E acetate, see the reporting of David Downs of Leafly.

Does the FDA Believe Nicotine Vaping Products Are To Blame?

While the CDC has urged all Americans to consider not vaping and to not vape products purchased off the street, the agency has received criticism (including from us) for not being specific about the dangers of illicit THC products.

What is the chemical in THC?

On September 27th, NBC News revealed that testing they commissioned on illicit THC vaping cartridges revealed myclobutanil, a chemical that converts to hydrogen cyanide when heated, in 10 of 10 illicit cartridges tested.

Why do people vape in Missouri?

Missouri (reported September 19th) — The MO Department of Health & Senior Services reported that a man in his mid-40s started vaping because of “chronic pain issues.” This is almost assuredly related to THC or CBD products.

How many cases of lung disease are linked to e-cigarettes?

As of October 3rd, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is reporting approximately 1,080 cases of severe lung illness linked to the use of “e-cigarettes.”. According to the CDC, about 78% of these patients have admitted to recent use of THC vaping products. Three types of pulmonary injury are being seen in these cases — lipoid ...

When did the FDA stop warning about THC?

Hours after the CDC’s press conference on September 6th, the FDA ‘broke’ with the CDC and issued an alert specifically warning about THC vaping products. On October 4th, the FDA reissued their alert with updated information.

What are the thickeners in vaping liquids?

There is some suspicion about the “thickeners” added to vaping liquids, Nick Kovacevich, CEO of KushCo Holdings, the largest US seller of vaping products and accessories (but not vaping liquids), told BuzzFeed News. Thickeners make vaping liquids more viscous, preventing oversaturation of a vaporizer’s combustion chamber. Typically in THC vaping liquids, they are loaded with the terpenes that give marijuana its taste.

What devices did people with lung injuries use?

Patients with lung injuries used a wide variety of devices, including both vaporizers, large-ish gadgets with a refillable liquid reservoir, smaller e-cigarettes that vaporize nicotine liquid from cartridges, and a wide variety of brands of liquids and cartridges. Around 80% reported they used vaping liquids that contained THC, the central clue in the case, with investigators hinting that the chemical was likely involved in all of the cases.

Why are e-cigarettes linked to lung disease?

A culprit thickener, or other additive, might explain why both e-cigarettes, which have legal cartridges that typically carry nicotine, and vaporizers are linked to the 450 people with lung illness, said Kovacevich. “With black market cartridges, or counterfeit cartridges — we see a lot of those — the ingredients are not known.”

What is vaporizer in e-cigarettes?

Advertisement. “Vaping” is shorthand for inhaling vaporized liquid, usually a mixture of nicotine and oil heated by a battery-powered atomizer in an e-cigarette or larger vaporizer. E-cigarettes have been sold in the US since 2007, with more than 9 million people using them on a regular basis, according to the CDC.

Can vitamin E cause respiratory problems?

“If inhaled at sufficient amounts, it could certainly cause respiratory problems, maybe even lipoid pneumonia, ” he said. “It is an antioxidant, and may burn and disintegrate when heated in an e-cigarette, releasing toxicants.”

Where is Dan Vergano?

Dan Vergano is a science reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in Washington, DC.

Is vaping legal in Michigan?

In the meantime, Michigan’s governor only last week banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in her state in response to teen vaping, and after its health department announced six cases of lung illness. The legal US age for e-cigarette use is 18, and Walley and others complain that with 1 in 5 teens now vaping, those rules are being flouted, with kids ending up hooked on nicotine, which changes adolescent brain development.

How many people died from evali?

This study from the CDC compared the characteristics of 60 patients who died from EVALI with those of 2558 patients who were hospitalized for the condition but survived. The deaths were reported from 27 states and the District of Columbia, and most were associated with vaping THC-containing products before symptom onset.

Why is vaping dangerous for teens?

Vaping by adolescents is a concern because of the risks of nicotine addiction and because of reports of an association between vaping and acute lung injury. This nationally representative survey finds sharp increases in the frequency of vaping among 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students.

How many patients died from evali 2019?

Among the 1139 patients with EVALI discharged on or before October 31, 2019, 31 (2.7%) were rehospitalized a median of 4 days after discharge and with half of the events occurring between 2 and 20 days after discharge. Seven patients, five of whom were women, died outside the hospital.

How long does it take to reevaluate after evali?

The clinical guidance urges health care professionals to work with appropriate staff to ensure that all patients discharged after treatment for EVALI are reevaluated at 48 hours, especially those who have been in an ICU, have social support networks in place to monitor their health, to ensure that post-discharge medications, such as glucocorticoids on taper and medications for known comorbid conditions, are taken appropriately, and that they do not resume use of vaping or combustible tobacco.

How long after discharge do you die?

All patients who died had been in an intensive care unit (ICU) during hospitalization. The deaths occurred a median of 3 days after discharge. The median age of patients who died after discharge was 54 years, as compared with 23 years among patients with no rehospitalizations.

What is the new class of e-cigarettes called?

Use of a new e-cigarette product class called “pod mods” is rampant among young people. There is reason to be concerned that adolescents’ use of these products could bring a host of adverse health consequences to the current generation of adolescents and young adults.

Does vaping help with smoking cessation?

Although vaping has been shown to assist with smoking cessation, cases of severe vaping-related pulmonary disease and a number of deaths have recently been reported. Here we present a collection of articles and other resources on e-cigarettes and vaping-related disease, including clinical reports and commentary.

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