Are E-cigarettes Responsible for the Mysterious Lung Disease?

Are electronic cigarettes safe? Some advocates say they are. If this is the case, then why are “state and federal health officials investigating almost 530 cases of mysterious lung illnesses?” While their investigation has not clearly identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product linked to all the cases, many of the 38 states are removing electroniccigarette starter kitsand other products linked to vaping from the shelves.

Dr. Humberto K. Choi, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio says “making a clear association between e-cigarette use and lung disorders isn't always easy.” Although officials cannot prove the exact cause of the lung illnesses, Dr. Casey Sommerfeld, lead author of the study, agrees the more we know, the better we'll be able to understand the health risks e-cigarettes pose.

A lot of teens and adults use e-cigarettes along with other tobacco products regardless of electronic cigarette health risks and warnings. Anyone can buy e-cigarettes online cheap. The appeal of the battery-powered devices imitate smoking but eliminate the tobacco and the odor.

Electronic cigarettes work by converting liquid nicotine and other chemicals into a cloudy or flavored vapor which users then inhale into their lungs.Some choose a nicotine-free vapor-liquidbut the e-cigarettes can contain THC, CBD oil, and other chemicals which can lead to lung damage.

Are e-cigarettes responsible for the mysterious lung disease? They are not certain, however, seven deaths have been confirmed in 6 states. Dr. Sommerfeld says "The long-term effects of vaping are still unknown due to the relative newness of the product.”

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) knows that of the 530 reported cases, 72 percent are men, 67 percent are between the ages of 18 and 34, and 16 percent are under the age of 18. All of the cases show the prior use of e-cigarettes, but most have used products containing THC and nicotine.

What Does the CDC Recommend?

If the stats are correct, too many individuals are ill due to e-cigarette side effects. Choi reports an increase of patients with inflammation of the lungs, bronchitis and noninfectious pneumonia. These are conditions that may be triggered by e-cigarettes.

“Clinicians are encouraged to remain alert for potential cases among people presenting with progressive respiratory symptoms, fever, and/or weight loss who report a history of inhalation drug use, particularly vaping,” said Thomas Haupt, respiratory disease epidemiologist for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. “Patients may initially appear to have a common respiratory disease such as community-acquired pneumonia, but do not improve on antibiotics.”

Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

If you used e-cigarettes to help you to quit smoking cigarettes, you should not smoke anymore. Do not go back to smoking cigarettes or cigars. Not only are you inhaling nicotine, but other chemicals. If you have symptoms relative to the lung disease, see your physician right away.

Are e-cigarettes responsible for the mysterious lung disease? While patients have similar symptoms, officials can't prove the cases are related to the e-cigarettes or the ingredients in the liquid. They also have a difficult time distinguishing between if the illnesses are caused by marijuana-based products, nicotine, and DIY “homebrews.”

At the same time, almost 10 million users report no major problems with vaping and vaping products, according to Gregory Conley, president of the American Vaping Association. “It appears much more likely that the products causing lung damage are amateur-made street vapes containing THC or illegal drugs, not nicotine,” he argued.