Asthma Attacks In Teens Rise In Number Due To Vaping

Though some believe that vaping is a better alternative to smoking conventional cigarettes, Canadian literature shows that it can increase the likelihood of teenagers and adults contracting asthma or suffering asthma attacks.

Asthma Attacks In Teens Rise In Number Due To Vaping

According to study author Teresa To, who is a senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, emerging evidence indicates that vaping may potentially exacerbate preexisting health conditions such as asthma.

Most recent studies have concentrated on the acute or immediate health consequences of vaping. She stated that information on the long-term health effects of e-cigarette smoking is very restricted and uncertain, especially in young people, teens, and young adults.

The study aimed to see whether teenagers and young adults who used e-cigarettes had an elevated risk of asthma and an assault in the previous 12 months.

Researchers analyzed self-reported survey results from the 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 periods. They comprised over 17,000 people aged 12 and up.

A little more than 3% of study participants said they had used e-cigarettes in the previous 30 days. According to To, this equates to around one out of every 32 individuals. About half of e-cigarette users have smoked regular cigarettes on a daily basis.

Asthma affected one of every eight e-cigarette users, or 13%. E-cigarette consumers have a 19% increased risk of developing asthma. Current smokers had a 20% increased risk of developing asthma, while former smokers had a 33% increased risk. According to To, about half of the people who smoked e-cigarettes have had asthma symptoms in the previous 12 months.

Participants in the study who had never smoked or used e-cigarettes had no major correlations with asthma.

The study also discovered that a slightly higher proportion of people who used e-cigarettes, 15%, had average or worse mental wellbeing relative to those who did not vape, which was 7%. Those that used e-cigarettes were also 60% more likely to have self-reported elevated levels of depression.

The study was not intended to determine correlation, but the researchers did find a very clear and statistically meaningful connection between smoking e-cigarettes and asthma, according to To.

There is, without a doubt, a link there. They need further testing to determine whether they exacerbate it or not, but they are sure from the results that if anyone does have asthma and smoke e-cigarettes, it would undoubtedly intensify asthma over time, To said.

According to To, other studies have discovered lung damage and death. E-cigarettes also contain nicotine, which can raise heart rate and blood pressure, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the researcher.

This new study will be discussed at the American Thoracic Society‘s online conference, which will take place from May 14 to May 19. Before they are written in a peer-reviewed journal, findings reported at medical meetings are considered preliminary.

E-cigarettes, unlike regular cigarettes, have only been around for 10 to 15 years, according to Dr. Albert Rizzo, who is the chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. 

Although research on their effects is newer, there is increasing evidence that e-cigarettes emit some of the same toxic chemicals as conventional cigarettes, according to Rizzo.

According to the American Lung Association, something one breathes into the body has the potential to be toxic. As a result of the consequences to the airways, it is not recommended to use anything of that sort,” Rizzo said.

Rizzo believes it is important to persuade existing smokers that there are alternatives to converting to an e-cigarette. The American Lung Association recommends stopping, rather than swapping, by using a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved nicotine cessation device, such as a patch or inhaler, in conjunction with therapy or a support group.

Rizzo believes that it is therefore important to warn people about the dangers of e-cigarettes and cigarettes. This involves informing parents and children of the dangers of e-cigarettes to better equip them to resist social pressure and publicity campaigns.