Dr. Gurmeet Singh Chabbra emphasizes that while some lung damage from smoking and pollution may be irreversible, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising, improving indoor air quality, eating antioxidant-rich foods, staying hydrated, practicing breathing exercises, and getting vaccinated can help restore lung function and prevent further harm.
Recent studies reveal that vaping exposes users to high levels of heavy metals like lead and nickel, and poses significant health risks including increased blood pressure, heart stress, lung inflammation, and potential long-term cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Experts advise caution, emphasizing that inhaling heated chemicals is inherently harmful, and personal decisions about vaping should consider these risks.
A young man from Kentucky suffered severe lung damage and a mini heart attack after vaping since age 12, warning others about the permanent health risks of e-cigarettes, which can cause lifelong lung scarring and other serious health issues.
Researchers in Brazil have found that many Covid-19 patients who required intubation are experiencing long-term lung damage, including inflammation and fibrosis, two years after discharge. The study, involving 237 patients, revealed that 92% had lung abnormalities, with some showing worsening conditions over time. The findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and potential interventions to address these serious complications.
A 20-year-old woman from Wisconsin, who started vaping at 15 to look "badass," has suffered two lung collapses due to her addiction, leading to permanent scarring. Despite doctors' warnings, she struggled to quit and is now facing the possibility of not surviving past 40 due to the damage caused by vaping. Her story highlights the dangers of vaping, particularly among young people, and the addictive nature of nicotine in these devices.
Gerald Branim, a marathon runner, shares his struggle with diaphragm paralysis caused by COVID-19, leading to severe lung damage and a year-long inability to run or walk. After a diagnosis and phrenic nerve reconstruction surgery by Dr. Matthew Kaufman, Branim made a remarkable recovery, surpassing his goal of running a half-marathon within a year of the surgery. He now aims to raise awareness about diaphragm paralysis and emphasizes the importance of patients advocating for themselves when facing unusual health challenges.
Recent studies and analyses have shown that vaping is linked to severe health risks, including damage to blood vessels and lung scarring. While e-cigarettes may contain fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes, they still pose significant health risks, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential long-term effects on the heart and lungs. Both vaping and smoking have immediate and long-term effects on the body, including impacts on blood vessels, circulation, and respiratory function, raising concerns about the overall health implications of these nicotine delivery methods.
A 12-year-old girl from Belfast, Ireland, was placed in an induced coma after vaping caused severe damage to her lungs, exacerbating her asthma and leading to an infection. The girl's oxygen levels were dangerously low, and she was rushed to the hospital where she was placed on a ventilator. After several days, she was brought out of the coma but still faces long-term impacts on her health. Doctors warned that if she had not vaped, her ability to fight off the infection would have been better. Experts are increasingly warning against the known and unknown effects of vaping, urging people to avoid it unless it is a short-term attempt to quit smoking.
Dr. Scott Walter, a dermatologist, warns that unclean shower heads can harbor biofilms, which are bacterial colonies that can cause skin conditions and respiratory issues. These biofilms cannot be removed with gentle rinsing and can be aerosolized during showers, potentially affecting the lungs and skin. Immune-compromised individuals should be particularly cautious. Walter recommends cleaning shower heads regularly with white vinegar to eliminate bacteria. The revelation has shocked many TikTok users, who now have another item to add to their cleaning routine.
A new study reveals that serious respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath and bronchitis, can appear in young e-cigarette users after just one month of vaping. The inhalation of aerosol, which contains nicotine and over 30 other chemicals, can deeply affect the lungs. These findings highlight the harmful effects of vaping on one's health, with previous studies also linking e-cigarettes to lung injuries. Doctors now inquire about e-cigarette use when treating young patients with lung damage or breathing issues, as nicotine in e-cigarettes can be highly addictive and impact brain development.
Many Covid survivors continue to struggle with lasting lung damage, even years after infection. The New York Times analyzed C.T. scans of three patients who were hospitalized during the pandemic's early waves and spoke with doctors who treated them. The resulting 3-D visualizations offer a vivid picture of damage that can linger years after infection and irrevocably alter everyday life. Effects vary by how healthy people were before infection and how their immune systems responded to the virus. Doctors say they encounter few patients who are so severely afflicted today, but they worry about those who wrestle with Covid's enduring effects.
The epidemic of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is still happening, with over 31,600 diagnoses in 2022 alone. Most cases are associated with THC-containing vapes, and the damage can be severe and long-lasting, with patients experiencing respiratory issues and cognitive and mood impairment. Doctors worry that many cases are missed, and there is no clear management approach for treatment or long-term follow-up care. Researchers and doctors recommend creating a national case registry and biorepository to better track EVALI.
Kristen Hensley is sharing the story of her wife, Amanda Lee Hall, who died due to vaping-related lung damage in February 2021, in a bid to warn others of the dangers of vaping. Hall started vaping in 2013 to quit smoking, but began experiencing health complications such as vomiting and weight loss linked to vaping in 2019. She was initially diagnosed with bronchitis, but her lungs eventually shut down, leading to her death. Hensley hopes sharing her wife’s story will encourage others to stop vaping and prevent other families from going through this turmoil.
Kristen Hensley is sharing the story of her wife, Amanda Lee Hall, who died due to lung damage caused by vaping. Hall started vaping in 2013 to quit smoking, but began experiencing health complications such as vomiting and weight loss. She was diagnosed with bronchitis in 2019, but her lungs shut down four days later. Doctors believed vaping was the cause of the damage to her lungs. Hensley hopes sharing her wife’s story will encourage others to stop vaping and prevent other families from going through this turmoil. She has also started a GoFundMe to help with mounting hospital bills.