Vaping FAQs

what are the warning signs of vaping

by Dr. Gilbert Satterfield MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Talk with your kids about the dangers of vaping, but also look for warning signs including:

  • Changes in emotions
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Scents of fruity odors on skin, breath and clothes
  • Strange cylinders, chargers or batteries lying around

Vape – whether nicotine or marijuana – contains poisonous chemicals that can affect your child's lung and heart health. One of the most tell-tale signs of possible vape use is new asthma or respiratory symptoms, like chronic cough, shortness of breath, increased mucus, or bronchitis.

Full Answer

What are the early warning signs of vaping illness?

general symptoms like extreme fatigue or fever are also warning signs. “If someone is vaping and has these symptoms, they should probably be seen,” Choi said. “Most of the symptoms, when they’re mild, probably can be seen in the office.

What are the symptoms of over vaping?

  • Light-headedness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Cold sweats
  • Jitteriness or anxiety
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Racing heart

How to recognize warning signs?

Signs & Symptoms

  • Sleep or appetite changes — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care
  • Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings
  • Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed

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Is it normal to cough while vaping?

While coughing during or after vaping is a normal reaction, it’s not necessarily a safe one. The short answer to why you cough while vaping is that your body is upset about what’s being inhaled, and it’s reacting accordingly. However, paying attention to what your body is telling you can help you remedy the coughing situation and help make your vaping experience an overall better one.

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What are 5 signs that someone is vaping?

Signs a person is vapingA sweet scent in the air. ... Unfamiliar pens and USB drives. ... Drinking more water. ... Nosebleeds. ... Smoker's cough or mouth sores. ... New batteries and chargers. ... Discarded vaping pods and devices.

What are the symptoms of too much vaping?

What Are the Symptoms of Nic-Sickness?Nausea or vomiting.Stomachache and loss of appetite.Increased heart rate and blood pressure.Headache.Mouth watering.Quick, heavy breathing.Dizziness or tremors.Confusion and anxiety.

What are 5 dangers of vaping?

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

What are 3 signs of a vaping addiction?

There are also several physical signs of addiction.Dry Mouth. Propylene glycol, a common ingredient found in e-juice, can cause dry mouth. ... Dizziness. Researchers monitored 33 smokers over 21 days. ... Coughing. For some, vaping is a gateway to smoking. ... Skin Problems. ... Itchiness. ... Dry Eyes. ... Nosebleeds. ... Nicotine Overdose.More items...•

How many vape puffs a day?

There is no specific number of puffs that can be considered safe. The biological factors and several modes are one of the factors that an acceptable daily intake of nicotine is based on.

Can your lungs heal 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.

Is vape worse than cigarettes?

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.

Which vapes are the healthiest?

The PAX 3 is consistently ranked one of the healthiest vapes, and it's an incredibly customizable conduction vaporizer suitable for dry herb and wax. Heated through thermal conduction, the PAX 3 doesn't sear your material.

What is the safest vape to use?

If you are looking for the safest vape kit then you might want to consider disposables or pod kits. These are often low powered and have safety cuts offs as well as other features to prevent them from overheating. Not only as disposables one of the safest vape kits, but they are also super easy to use.

Can dentist tell if you vape?

The answer is yes. While some people switch from smoking to vaping because they may think vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, studies show that it is just bad for your teeth and gums. Vaping has the same adverse effects on your oral health as smoking and your dentist WILL be able to tell.

How much vape 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.

How often should you hit a vape?

Generally, 15 to 30 seconds are enough before you take another hit, but you can wait longer, especially if you are experiencing dry hits more often. It can be hard to get used to, especially if you're previously a smoker which doesn't require you to wait for anything.

How much vape 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.

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.

How long do lungs take to recover from vaping?

After two weeks: your circulation and lung function begin to improve. After one to nine months: clear and deeper breathing gradually returns; you have less coughing and shortness of breath; you regain the ability to cough productively instead of hacking, which cleans your lungs and reduce your risk of infection.

How many vape puffs equals a cigarette?

10 puffsTypically, manufacturers advise that 10 puffs on your vape are about the same as 10 puffs on your cigarette. They further speculate that 10 puffs are all you take on one cigarette. Of course, this varies based on how big your puffs are, how strong your vape device is, and how much nicotine you are using.

What happens if you don't vape for a long time?

When you’re addicted to nicotine, you will experience withdrawal symptoms if you don’t vape for an extended time and the nicotine level in your bloodstream drops.

Why is it important to detect vaping?

Early detection of vaping behavior is essential in heading off the long-term consequences of the addiction. Spotting the signs of vaping can be difficult, especially for parents of children trying to hide their behavior.

How to tell if a patient has nicotine addiction?

To determine whether a patient has a nicotine addiction, a doctor will ask questions about their vaping behavior. The frequency of vaping and the length of time that the patient can go without vaping (especially after waking in the morning) indicate the addiction’s intensity. Differences in intensity will suggest different types of treatment that may be effective.

How do you know if you are addicted to nicotine?

Symptoms of nicotine dependency include: 1 A strong, almost irresistible urge to vape 2 Continuing to vape even if you think that it’s harmful to you 3 Irritability when you can’t vape 4 Intrusive thoughts about vaping 5 Vaping behavior that causes problems with family, friends, school, or work 6 The inability to stop vaping even when you try

What is the effect of nicotine on the brain?

Once in the brain, nicotine triggers the release of chemicals called neurotransmitters. One of these chemicals, called dopamine, stimulates parts of the brain that produce feelings of well-being, happiness, or even euphoria. The result is a quick, intense “high” that makes the user associate vaping with good feelings.

How does vaping work?

Vaping is the process of inhaling the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette (commonly called an e-cigarette). The vapor is produced by heating a liquid inside the e-cigarette until it turns into a mist that is inhaled directly into the user’s lungs.

Why do people vape?

The reasons that people begin to vape and become addicted to the practice are complex. Environment, culture, peer pressure, and a long list of environmental factors play a role. However, there is evidence that susceptibility to nicotine addiction and addiction to other substances have an inherited component, too.

What Are the Warning Signs of Vaping?

Parents can look for both physical and behavioral signs that their child is vaping.

How to know if you're vaping?

Warning signs of vaping may include: 1 Strange odors: One of the appeals of vaping is the “fun” flavors like mint, bubblegum, and chocolate. While certainly less pungent than cigarette smoke, the trace odors of vaping are still noticeable. 2 Unknown packages: While minors are not allowed to purchase e-cigarettes, there are plenty of ways that young people can work around this. Online sales of vaping devices are much harder to control, and children can take advantage of this loophole. 3 Vaping equipment and paraphernalia: The variety of devices and their resemblance to harmless items like flash drives make them much easier to conceal. 4 Increased thirst and nose bleeds: Some types of e-liquids contain chemicals that dry out the mouth and nasal passages. This can heighten thirst and prompt more frequent nose bleeds. 5 Vaping lingo: Vaping has developed its own culture, with popular videos on YouTube and Twitter showing vape cloud tricks and slang. Keep an ear out for overheard conversations with coded phrases like “atty” for the device’s atomizer and “sauce” in place of e-liquid or e-juice. 6 Decreased caffeine use: Caffeine sensitivity is one side effect of vaping. If your child shows a decrease in their consumption of caffeine (e.g., energy drinks), it may be a result of vaping. 7 Bloodshot eyes: Bloodshot eyes are one of the physical side effects of vaping. 8 Irritability: If your child uses a vaping device with nicotine, they may act moody or irritable if they are experiencing nicotine withdrawal.

What is vaping liquid?

The mechanics of vaping are similar across most devices. A liquid, also called “e-liquid” or “e-juice,” is poured into an electric device that activates a heating coil when someone inhales. This converts the liquid into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user. Hundreds of devices use this process, however, some of the more common vaping products ...

Why is my child irritable when vaping?

Irritability: If your child uses a vaping device with nicotine, they may act moody or irritable if they are experiencing nicotine withdrawal.

What to do if your child is using e-cigarettes?

If you suspect your child is using e-cigarettes, it is important to prepare and educate yourself about the serious dangers and warning signs of vaping. Knowing the signs of vaping — like sweet or fruity scents and vaping slang — can take the guesswork out of your suspicions. Ultimately, knowing the real dangers associated with vaping helps you ...

What is the difference between e-liquid and food?

There is some commonality between the artificial flavorings used in food and those added to e-liquids. The difference is in how they’re consumed. Chemicals in the stomach are digested, while inhaled chemicals — like the butter-flavoring diacetyl — have been linked to irreversible lung damage.

Is vaping candy dangerous?

The packaging for vaping liquids is often bright and colorful, mimicking the appearance of candy packaging. This is particularly dangerous for e-liquids with nicotine because young children may confuse them for ordinary candy instead of potentially deadly substances.

What chemicals are in vaping?

Vaping exposes the lungs to a variety of chemicals. These may include the main active chemicals in tobacco (nicotine) or marijuana (THC), flavorants, and other ingredients that are added to vaping liquids. Plus, other chemicals can be produced during the vaporizing process.

What are vaping devices?

Vaping devices, also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-hookahs among other terms, come in many shapes and sizes. Some look like traditional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Others are shaped like every-day objects, such as pens or USB memory sticks.

How old do you have to be to vape?

New laws are aimed at curbing vaping among teens. People must now be 21 to buy any tobacco product, including vaping products. And companies can no longer produce and sell flavors that appeal to children like fruit and mint. If you’ve already started vaping or smoking cigarettes, it’s never too late to quit.

How does puffing work?

While they may look different, most vaping devices work in a similar way. Puffing activates a battery-powered heating device. This heats the liquid in a cartridge, turning it into vapors that are inhaled.

Can nicotine be inhaled in a vaporizer?

Plus, other chemicals can be produced during the vaporizing process. “If the liquid has nicotine in it, then the user is inhaling nicotine along with the other ingredients in the liquid,” explains Dr. Thomas Eissenberg, an expert on tobacco research at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Is vaping harmful?

So how safe is vaping? Studies suggest nicotine vaping may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes when people who regularly smoke switch to them as a complete replacement. But nicotine vaping could still damage your health.

Is vaping more popular in high school?

Vaping is now more popular among teens than smoking traditional cigarettes. One in four high school seniors say they vaped nicotine in the past month. And studies have found that teens who vape nicotine may be more likely to go on to smoke traditional cigarettes.

What are the symptoms of a syringe?

Any new respiratory symptom should be reason for concern, including: 1 coughing 2 shortness of breath 3 chest tightness 4 wheezing 5 general symptoms like extreme fatigue or fever are also warning signs.

What kind of vapes did Justin use?

Justin had been using a Juul device and mint-flavored nicotine pods, his favorite. He bought mostly Juul products, plus the occasional off-brands available at stores. He would puff on the mint vapes constantly, draining about two pods a day.

How long did Justin Wilson vape?

Justin Wilson, 25, vaped for about a year and then suddenly collapsed, unable to breathe, on Sept. 1. He had to spend a week in a hospital in Portland, Oregon. Courtesy Jake Wilson. Sept. 13, 2019, 7:40 AM PDT / Source: TODAY. By A. Pawlowski.

Is vaping safe for kids?

Vaping is not as safe as people thought it was, said Dr. Humberto Choi, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. Choi has treated several of the vaping-related illnesses and has recently been inundated by calls from parents worried their children are exhibiting worrisome symptoms.

Will Justin go back to vaping?

Another theory is that the heated vapor returned to oil form inside the cooler human body, his father said. “There’s no way” Justin will go back to vaping, he said. Family friends are now throwing away their vape pens after learning about the ordeal, Jake Wilson added.

Can e-liquid cause lipoid pneumonia?

Because the e-liquids can contain oils, there’s concern about the potential for lipoid pneumonia — an inflammation of the lungs caused by oils — but that’s not the pattern Choi has seen at the Cleveland Clinic. Nor are black-market products necessarily to blame: Some of Choi's patients have only used a regular branded vaping device, not something tainted or bought on the street.

What is e-cigarette lung injury?

Eventually, researchers tied these cases to vaping. The illness is now called e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury(EVALI). Doctors and researchers are still working to learn more about this condition, including its exact causes and long-term effects.

Is vaping a good alternative to smoking?

Electronic cigaretteswere originally designed as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. But it turns out smokinge-cigarettes -- commonly known as vaping-- has its own risks.

Can evali cause breathing problems?

Someone with EVALI may have breathingand digestive problems, along with other symptoms, including:

How to prevent vaping?

In the meantime, the best way to prevent your child from engaging in vaping is to continue to have open conversations and stay keenly aware of their habits.

Why does vaping cause dry mouth?

Vaping can cause dehydration or dry mouth, most likely a cause of the ingredient in the e-liquid called propylene glycol. If your teen is drinking more water or has dark circles under their eyes, a symptom of dehydration, you may want to investigate further.

What is a vape pod?

Here's what we do know. Vaping uses a battery powered device called an e-cigarette that warms a liquid, turning it into a vapor that can be inhaled. The liquid is typically purchased in pods and comes in a variety of flavors. Most e-cigarette pods contain nicotine that is often more concentrated than in cigarettes and impacts brain function, attention and memory. For instance, JUUL pod packs can provide as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes.

How to help a child with e-cigarettes?

The best approach is to have regular conversations with your child about the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco products , and hope you can have a positive impact on their habits. You should also be aware of the friends and company that your child keeps. If they are e-cigarette or tobacco users, there's a good chance your child is using these products as well.

Is weed harmful to e-cigarettes?

Even more harmful is the fact that other substances can also be used with e-cigarettes including marijuana and hash oil, opiates and dangerous synthetic substances like flakka and “synthetic weed” such as K2 and Spice. The use of marijuana in e-cigarettes has been associated with the national outbreak of lung injury and death in youths over the past year.

Do e-cigarettes help with smoking?

While the use of e-cigarettes has been touted as a means to help people quit smoking, there is no evidence to show that it actually helps smoking cessation, and in fact, research reveals that you're more likely to start smoking if you vape.

Can smoking e-cigarettes cause mouth sores?

Recent research is now linking E-cigarettes to mouth sores that won' t heal as well as a smoker's cough . Apparently, the vapors upset the immune system and can have negative effects on human cells.

How do you know if your child is vaping?

The vapors disrupt the immune system which can have harsh effects on human cells. Keep your eye on your child if they complain of sores in their mouth or begin to show signs of an unexplained cough. It could be a sign that your child is vaping.

How long does a vape pen battery last?

While some vape pens can be charged with a simple USB cable, most require batteries. And, since an e-cig vape pen battery typically only lasts two hours with constant use, the battery needs to be charged regularly. If you find an unfamiliar battery or battery charging device, this could serve as another red flag that your child may be vaping.

What are the most common e-cigarettes for teens?

E-cigs come in many forms. They can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. However, the most common e-cigs among teens are JUULs – sleek devices that resemble a USB flash drive – and vape pens that resemble traditional pens.

What is an atomizer in an e-cigarette?

The atomizer is an important part of any e-cig. It’s the component of the e-cig that turns the e-liquid into vapor. The atomizers don’t last forever and eventually need to be discarded. If you come across a discarded atomizer in your child’s room, it can be a good indication that your child has been vaping.

How many high school students use e-cigarettes?

According to the Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual National Tobacco Survey, 27.5 percent of high school students reported using an e-cigarette within the last 30 days, up from 20.8 percent in 2018. Originally designed to help people quit smoking cigarettes, e-cigs have turned into a national infatuation among teens ...

What is e-liquid flavored?

Although the vapor produced by e-cigarettes can be either odorless or scented, given the choice, most teenagers will choose the scented (or flavored) vapor. The e-liquid, also known as e-juice, available on the market for e-cigarettes comes in a variety of enticing flavors such as Gummi Bear, Berry Lush, Frozen Lime Drop, and Watermelon Wave that all too many teens are eager to try. If you notice a sweet scent that is unexplainable, it might require further investigation on your part.

Is vaping harmful to your lungs?

While vaporized liquid has been found by researchers to be less harmful to lungs than smoking traditional cigarettes, researchers and experts have found that vaping has a host of damaging side effects. Aside from the documented side effects associated with vaping, the vape devices are compatible with Marijuana making substance abuse easier ...

Why do vapers exhale through their nose?

Vapers tend to exhale through their nose more than their mouth. Again, propylene glycol may be the culprit, as it dehydrates the inside of nostrils. The corresponding dryness leads to frequent nosebleeds. Be on the lookout.

What causes dry mouth in vapes?

Propylene glycol, an ingredient in vape e-liquids, frequently causes dry mouth (aka cottonmouth) as a side effect of e-cigarette use. If you notice increased thirst or students drinking water more than usual,you might consider asking additional questions or observing their in-class behavior more closely.

Why do teens use e-cigarettes?

E-cigarette use by children and teens also makes them more likely to use regular cigarettes later in life and increases their risk for future addiction to other drugs. The nicotine content of some e-cigarette pods packs the punch of 20 regular cigarettes.

Is e-cigarette use harmful?

Vapingor physical impairment. However, the nicotine in e-cigarettes is addictive and harmfuloccurs from birth until about age 25. Vaping can negatively affect student behavior

Does smoking cigarettes cause mucus?

The human body produces mucus and phlegm naturally, and clears it regularly. However, e-cigarette use can cause mucociliary dysfunction (similar to COPD, asthma, and cystic fibrosis), which impairs the body’s ability to move and

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