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A small study recently published in the New England Journal of
Medicine looked at the lungs of patients with lung illness from
vaping. The researchers likened the cell death and tissue damage in
the lungs and the lining of the airways to what they would typically
see from exposure to toxic chemicals or a chemical burn.
STAY SAFE
Because there are so many chemicals and chemical combinations
in e-cigarette cartridges, it’s difficult for the CDC to determine the
exact ingredients or compounds that cause the lung injuries. For
this reason, the organization recommends that users “consider
refraining from the use of all e-cigarette, or vaping, products”
while its investigation is ongoing. If users are going to continue to
vape, the CDC recommends that they not use products that contain
THC—the chemical in marijuana that makes users high—and not
buy vaping products off the street, or alter or add substances to
vaping products.
OTHER DANGERS OF VAPING
Lung damage is not the only health concern linked to e-cigarettes. Other
health risks include:
»» Heart disease. Nicotine can increase blood pressure and heart
rate, and also cause hardening of the arteries. All of these health
issues can lead to heart disease. Most e-cigarette products contain
nicotine, with some popular brands containing more nicotine than
20 cigarettes. (See “The Heart of the Matter” to learn more about
nicotine and heart health.)
»» Problems with brain development. Nicotine can affect the teenage
brain. It can damage the parts that control attention, impulse control,
learning and mood.
»» Faulty equipment. “An immediate danger from e-cigarettes are
explosions and burns from defective devices or batteries,” Dr. Gay
says. “We have seen a number of these injuries at Navicent Health
Baldwin’s Emergency Room.”
»» Death. As of December 2019, vaping has been linked to 52 deaths—
including teens—in 26 states.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The best thing you can do is quit using e-cigarettes or other tobacco
products immediately. If you do not use them, do not start. If parents
discover that their teen vapes, Dr. Peterson recommends having an open,
honest discussion about the health risks.
“Respect your teenager as an individual and let him or her read about
the risks,” she says. “Encourage them to look at unbiased sources, not
sites that are trying to sell products.”
“It took many years to recognize the damage that cigarettes can
cause,” Dr. Gay adds. “Many people were already addicted by the time
that knowledge was available. We could be on a similar path with
vaping. If you smoke or vape, talk with your doctor about resources to
help you quit.”
NAVICENT HEALTH OFFERS A SMOKING CESSATION CLASS
THAT MEETS AT THE PEYTON ANDERSON CANCER CENTER,
NAVICENT HEALTH. SEE THE CALENDAR BEGINNING ON PAGE 7
FOR DATES AND TIMES, OR CALL 478-633-2614 TO LEARN MORE.
KNOWLEDGE
WHICH IS WORSE:
VAPING OR SMOKING?
“The truth is, we aren’t sure if one is safer than the other,”
says Rebecca Gay, MD, Emergency Center Director at
Navicent Health Baldwin. “We are just starting to learn the
harmful effects that vaping can cause. The years ahead will
likely show more dangerous side effects.”
“Even if it is not as dangerous as smoking, vaping is just
as addictive,” adds Christy Peterson, MD, pediatrician at
Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health.
“The number one risk in vaping is the addictive substances
in e-cigarettes.”
Until then, both doctors recommend all people—
especially teenagers—avoid using e-cigarettes.
“It should never be considered safe to start vaping,”
Dr. Gay says. “Our lungs are meant to inhale clean air and
nothing else.”
UNFORTUNATELY, OUR STATE ISN’T IMMUNE TO THE
SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES POTENTIALLY LINKED TO
VAPING. AT LEAST 36 PEOPLE IN GEORGIA HAVE
DEVELOPED THE MYSTERY ILLNESS, AND FOUR
PEOPLE HAVE DIED AS A RESULT, THE GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Nicotine, including that found in e-cigarettes, can increase
the risk of heart disease.
“Nicotine is known to increase your risk of
cardiovascular disease, whether it is through vaping or
smoking,” says Rebecca Gay, MD, Emergency Center
Director at Navicent Health Baldwin. “It constricts the
blood vessels and limits the blood flow to your organs.”
People who use e-cigarettes are 25% more likely to
develop coronary artery disease and 34% more likely to
have a heart attack, according to a study presented at
the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific
Session. These risks can be reversed by quitting vaping
or smoking. February is American Heart Month. This
Valentine’s Day, give yourself the gift of health by quitting
smoking.
“Quitting can lower your heart rate and blood pressure
almost immediately,” Dr. Gay says. “Your risk of heart
attack declines within 24 hours. Your health will improve
the minute that you quit smoking.”
5SPRING 2020 | navicenthealth.org