Vaping Related Illness: Recognizing Symptoms and Understanding Risks
- S J
- Sep 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 19, 2024
Vaping-related diseases are also known as EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury). EVALI is primarily a lung disease, but patients with this illness can have numerous complications in almost all of their organs. Doctors started to see a rise in hospitalizations associated with vaping in 2019, which turned out to be EVALI. Research done by the experts indicates that the vaping related illness is a result of the inhalation of toxic substances that exist in some vaping products, which contain THC and vitamin E acetate.
The disease itself has some symptoms, which are normally accompanied, but they can vary depending on the degree of development.
Symptoms of Vaping related illness
Shortness of Breath
This is common and it is the most frequent sign of e-cigarette-linked lung disease. Some common experiences that patients report are difficulties in breathing which may or may not worsen over time.
Chest Pain
Persistent or continuous chest pain or discomfort is highly related to EVALI. The experience is sometimes likely to be mistaken for a cardiac problem.
Coughing
Dry coughing for a long time is also a sign that you are developing this illness. Usually, the cough is dry and worsens as the vaping or usage of the electronic cigarette continues.
Wheezing
This is particularly so when it becomes rather complicated as detected by wheezing or what we can hear while breathing like the whistling sound.
Nausea and Vomiting
Most of the patients suffer from nausea and vomiting and hence they are at risk of developing complications such as dehydration.
Abdominal Pain
Another usual complaint is of a stomach ache or abdominal pain. It may be confused with other gastrointestinal issues thus enabling delays in its diagnosis.
Diarrhea
In EVALI some patients develop diarrhea which worsens dehydration and other electrolyte abnormalities.
Fever and Chills
Fever, often associated with shivering, is a prominent example of a systemic symptom. It may be mistaken as an indication of an infection, such as the flu or pneumonia.
Fatigue
Severe exhaustion and tiredness are some of the common symptoms found in the affected individuals of vaping illness. It can be disabling and a person cannot be able to perform the usual tasks that are expected throughout the day.
Weight Loss
Another is weight loss which is more worrisome when accompanied by other systemic or gastrointestinal complaints.
Major Problem in Diagnosing EVALI
A major problem in diagnosing EVALI is that its symptoms are very vague, which makes the presumed diagnosis resemble other respiratory and systemic diseases such as Pneumonia, COPD, or COVID-19. Healthcare practitioners use a detailed patient exposure history and specifically ask about vaping practices, the type of equipment or substances used, and history of THC use as this is associated with EVALI. Laboratory tests, including imaging, are essential in the diagnosis process because chest X-rays and CT scans help detect bilateral lung infiltrates, a sign of lung injury. Blood tests such as full blood count are also relevant in excluding infection and pulse oximetry because most EVALI patients have low oxygen saturation.
Treatment and Management
Supportive Care
However, special interventions may not be required for symptoms that are not severe and can be treated by propping up. This includes getting enough sleep, taking fluids or water, and avoiding vaping or exposure to e-vapor products. It is quite clear that patients should completely abstain from vaping, as this could further exacerbate the problem in the lungs.
Hospitalization
It is suggested for severe case patients with the symptoms of EVALI, admission to the hospital may be required if they have other respiratory issues or low oxygen levels in their blood. In some situations, simple oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation is needed to support breathing.
Preventions
Avoiding Unregulated Products
Another significant issue that has been associated with vaping is the use of products whose quality has not been tested one way or the other while most of the products being used are from black markets. Most of these vaping products have other ingredients that may be highly poisonous such as Vitamin E acetate that is linked with EVALI. Consumers should guard themselves and only buy products that relate to vaping from trusted sources.
Monitoring for Symptoms
People who vape should be keen to check for signs and symptoms. Increased awareness of respiratory, gastrointestinal, or general signs helps to reach the correct diagnosis earlier and consequently have a better prognosis. This is true especially due to the development of some symptoms that may indicate a more severe form of the disease when they get worse with time, and therefore, anybody experiencing such signs should consult a doctor.
Quitting Vaping
Hence, those who are infected by the disease of vaping are advised not to use e-cigarettes in vaping to cure the disease. Many resources are available to assist those wanting to quit: Counseling; Nicotine replacement therapy; and Prescription drugs. Therefore, abandoning vaping eliminates the possibility of getting EVALI and other possible long-term negative impacts of vaping.
Go for anxiety and stress relief jewelry to substitute your hand-to-mouth motion and take nice deep breaths of calmness.
Harms associated with vaping such as EVALI are serious and emerging health issues. It is hence important to learn about the signs of vaping and the dangers that are associated with vaping so that one can be in a position to detect it early enough. So, avoiding unregulated products, and thinking about quitting vaping can go a long way in preventing one from getting a severe illness from vaping.
References
The Partnership, September 2023, Partnership to end addiction, Vaping Illness
American Lung Association, E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)
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