The Dangers of Vaping:
Vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, is becoming an epidemic among teens. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 37% of 12th graders reported vaping at some point in the last year. More than one in ten 8th graders also reported vaping in the last year and the numbers for all age groups are on the rise. Moreover, many teens don’t seem to understand that a vape contains dangerous chemicals that can harm their lungs.Since July, a cluster of vaping teens have been hospitalized in the Midwest. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports that it is studying 12 cases of confirmed respiratory cases, with 13 more under investigations. All of the patients were teenagers or young adults who vaped. Their symptoms included shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, coughing, nausea, anorexia, weight loss, and diarrhea, with symptoms getting worse over several weeks before requiring hospitalization. According to the WDHS statement, the patients, “showed diffuse ground-glass opacities, often with subpleural sparing.” Some patients deteriorated to the point of needing endotracheal intubation.In nearby northeastern Illinois, three young people also exhibited vaping-related respiratory problems. The Illinois Department of Public Health continues to investigate. IDPH Director, Ngozi Ezike, MD, advised physicians to ask young people about their history of vaping or e-cigarette use whenever they present with respiratory problems of unknown origin. In addition to these midwestern states, the Centers for Disease Control announced on August 17, 2019, that it is investigating 94 possible cases of severe lung disease related to vaping across 14 states, including 30 cases in Wisconsin.By August 21, CNN reported that number had increased to 154 cases in 16 states. As of today, Septemer 12, 2019, there have been six reported vaping-related deaths confirmed in California, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon and most recently Kansas. After the Kansas fatality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tallied six deaths and more than 450 possible cases of severe lung injury in 33 states and one jurisdiction.There may be other serious physical consequences to the use of e-cigarettes, in addition to the risk of lung disease and nicotine addiction. In August of 2019, the Federal Drug Administration announced that it is investigating the relationship between e-cigarettes and the risk of seizures and neurological symptoms.If you know somebody who vapes, share this information with them and encourage them to stop vaping immediately.
