The lung damage associated with vaping has been studied by several research groups. Vaping is the use of electronic cigarettes or vapers. It is a relatively recent trend that has spread considerably, especially among young people.
Previously, vapers were thought to be harmless. In fact, many people use them as a tobacco substitute, assuming that it is something harmless to health. However, this seems to be far from reality.
A survey conducted by specialists of Mayo Clinic studies lung injuries associated with vaping. In this article We explain how this study is being carried out and what results are being obtained in this regard.
How was the study on lung injury associated with vaping conducted?
As we pointed out in the introduction, specialists in Mayo Clinic have developed a study on lung injury associated with vaping. In Mayo Clinic News Network explain that this lesion may be caused by direct toxicity to the lung.
In other words, the substances contained in the vaporizer can directly damage the lung tissue. To carry out this investigation, Lung biopsies from 17 patients were selected and reviewed.
The biopsy consists in taking a sample of lung tissue and analyzing it in the laboratory. These patients were chosen because they were suspected of having lung injury associated with vaping. All had used e-cigarettes.
The question was to identify what was the cause of this injury. It was thought that it could be due to the accumulation of lipids or mineral oils. However, no evidence was found that this was the case. That is why it began to be suspected that the injury may have been caused by direct damage caused by smoking.
It is estimated that, in recent months there have been more than 800 cases of lung injuries associated with them. Scientists believe that the injury is more frequent when the vaper uses oils derived from cannabis or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive part of cannabis.
What do the results say?
As we just explained, prior to this study The lung damage associated with vaping was thought to be caused by the use of products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
In fact, it emerged that the incidence was higher if the products were obtained from unregulated sources. For example, from friends or family, without any kind of regulation.
However, following the study of Mayo Clinic, this has been questioned. According to the publication, no data was found to support that the injury was due to the accumulation of lipids in the lungs. These lipids, as we have already highlighted, are secondary to products derived from cannabis.
What was found was that lung damage associated with vaping appeared to come from direct toxicity. In other words, the chemical vapors and gases they emit are toxic and damage lung tissue.
However, this study is limited. As the scientists explain, it cannot yet be excluded that the mechanism of the damage is also associated with the accumulation of lipids. What is established is that the prejudice exists and is due to the vape itself.
Data on lung injury associated with vaping
Vapers or e-cigarettes are the devices used for vaping. They work by heating a liquid which produces an inhalable aerosol. According to an article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the liquid can be made up of numerous substances.
May contain nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oils, and other cannabinoids such as CBD. Flavorings and other additives are also frequently added. One of the most used additives is vitamin E acetate.
Vitamin E is a vitamin that is obtained through numerous foods. For example, vegetable oils, vegetables or fruits. It is a vitamin that has an important antioxidant role. It can also be obtained from supplements.
In fact, vitamin E acetate itself is used as a supplement or as a skin moisturizer. That is why it is considered a beneficial compound. Howeverwhen inhaled, it seems to have a negative influence on the lungs.
Lung damage associated with vaping can occur in a number of ways. According to an article published on The New England journal of medicine, A number of pneumonia models have been identified.
Specifically, pneumonia is the term used to refer to inflammation of the lung tissue. The most identified patterns in vaping-associated lung injury are as follows:
- Acute eosinophilic pneumonia.
- Organization of pneumonia.
- Diffuse alveolar damage.
- Lipoid pneumonia.
- Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis and rare giant pneumonia.
Further studies on the subject are needed
At first, the bursting of the lesions was thought to be associated with the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol. However, it’s important to note that there are many other substances that can be toxic.
For example, nicotine, flavors, additives, benzene, toluene, etc. The importance of the study conducted by Mayo Clinic it lies in the fact that it proves it the vaper does not need to carry THC to cause lung damage.
However, more research is still needed to understand the mechanisms of injury. Currently, some states have banned the sale of e-cigarettes and flavored liquids.
In fact, the possibility of banning all non-tobacco flavors is being evaluated. Likewise, children and pregnant women should be avoided at all costs from using these devices. Regardless of the mechanism of lung injury associated with vaping, the important thing is that it can cause irreversible diseases.
Data from the Study of Lung Injuries Associated with Vaping
As we have seen in previous sections, lung damage associated with vaping can present itself in several ways. These injuries can even lead to the death of the patient.
So much so that, within the study of Mayo Clinic, two of the biopsied patients died. The problem is, these types of injuries can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Also, as the use of vapers has become so widespread in recent years, there are serious outbreaks of sick patients. That is why it is considered a global public health crisis.
Studies try to find out which substances have the greatest influence on the development of lesions. To date, it is suspected that they may be both direct chemical contaminants in the liquid and additives derived from the cannabis oil.
Ideally, avoid vaping
What we must keep in mind is that, today, it is common knowledge that vaping is not harmless. On the contrary, poses a very high risk of inducing lung injury and serious illness. Therefore, it should not be used as a tobacco substitute.
It is important to try to avoid all these kinds of habits. Regardless of the substance causing lung damage associated with vaping, the reality is that this is a serious and widespread problem. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent its use from continuing to spread. Especially in young and pregnant.
Post-lung damage associated with vaping is thought to be caused by toxic chemical vapors, according to a study that first appeared in research-school.