Embarking on a journey from traditional smoking to vaping can be an intricate and perplexing adventure with the abundance of e-liquids and vaping devices available. Despite the absence of a universal solution, mastering the art of vaping in a correct and safe manner becomes a crucial step towards liberating oneself from the clutches of cigarettes.
Unraveling the Mechanics of Vaping: A Comprehensive Overview
Cigarette Smoke vs. E-Cig Vapour
While both smoking and vaping involve heating a substance and inhaling the resulting fumes, they diverge significantly in their processes. Traditional cigarettes entail the combustion of tobacco, altering its chemical structure and producing visible carbon particles and other by-products of combustion. These particles and by-products pose significant health risks, with at least 70 known carcinogens among them.
On the other hand, vaping heats e-liquid without combustion, transforming it into vapour. This process, similar to using a nebulizer for asthma or other lung conditions, turns liquid medicine into a mist that patients breathe in, offering a highly effective way of delivering medicine to the lungs.
Delving into Vaping Inhalation Techniques: MTL and DTL
For those new to vaping, understanding the basics is paramount. The main vaping inhalation techniques are Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) and Direct-to-Lung (DTL).
MTL vaping is ideal for beginners, mimicking the process of cigarette smoking closely. It involves slowly drawing the vapour into the mouth, pausing briefly before inhaling it into the lungs, and then exhaling. This method pairs excellently with devices offering a tighter draw, ensuring higher nicotine delivery coupled with an enhanced throat hit.
Alternatively, DTL vaping bypasses the mouth retention phase, involving the direct inhalation of vapour into the lungs, similar to a normal breathing pattern. Sub-ohm vaping, a part of DTL, requires low-resistance coils paired with high-powered devices. Though distinct from traditional cigarette smoking, DTL vaping offers an experience closer to actual breathing, making it more suitable for seasoned vapers.
Probing the Chemicals Inhaled During Vaping
Beyond the similarities to a nebulizer, vaping coats the lungs with potentially harmful chemicals. E-liquid concoctions typically include flavorings, aromatic additives, and nicotine or THC, dissolved in an oily liquid base. Among these components, vitamin E, often used as a thickening and delivery agent in e-liquid, has been found in the lungs of people with severe vaping-related damage. While safe as an oral supplement or skin application, it likely acts as an irritant when inhaled.
Other common substances like diacetyl, formaldehyde, and acrolein, either present in e-liquid or produced upon heating, pose significant risks to lung health. Diacetyl, known to damage small passageways in the lungs, is frequently added to flavored e-liquid to enhance taste. Formaldehyde and acrolein, hazardous chemicals associated with lung disease and heart conditions, further underscore the potential dangers of vaping.
Deciphering the Impact of Vaping on Lung Health
Over time, as e-cigarette usage continues, the medical community’s understanding of vaping’s effects on the lungs will deepen. Currently known associations between vaping and lung diseases highlight serious concerns.
Vaping and Popcorn Lung: Popcorn lung, a term for bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), results from damage to the lungs’ small airways. Diacetyl, linked to this condition, is often added to flavored e-liquid. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and may lead to permanent scarring in the airways, making breathing difficult. While no cure exists for popcorn lung, treatments manage its symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Vaping-Related Lipoid Pneumonia: Unlike classic pneumonia, lipoid pneumonia develops from fatty acids entering the lungs. Vaping-induced lipoid pneumonia stems from inhaling oily substances in e-liquid, triggering an inflammatory response. Symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood or blood-tinged mucus. Treatment primarily involves supportive care while the lungs heal. Identifying and eliminating the cause—in this case, vaping—is crucial.
Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung) After Vaping: Occurring when there’s a hole in the lung through which oxygen escapes, primary spontaneous pneumothorax can result from injuries or the rupture of air blisters on the lung’s surface. Tall, thin individuals who experienced rapid growth during adolescence are most susceptible. Smoking—and now vaping—are linked to an increased risk of bursting these blisters, leading to lung collapse. Symptoms include sharp chest or shoulder pain, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. Treatment may range from oxygen therapy and rest to more advanced cases requiring surgery to repair the lung.
Can Vaping Cause Lung Cancer?
Given that vaping introduces numerous chemicals into the lungs, cancer remains a significant concern. However, the relatively recent emergence of vaping products means researchers haven’t yet determined their potential to cause cancer. Still, similarities to smoking tobacco—which forces tiny particles deep into the bronchial tree, potentially leading to cancer—suggest vaping might pose similar risks.
Secondhand Vapor: Not as Safe as Perceived
Contrary to popular belief, secondhand emissions from e-cigarettes aren’t harmless. The vapor exhaled contains nicotine, ultrafine particles, diacetyl, and benzene, posing health risks. While these emissions may not affect the lungs similarly to direct vaping, avoiding them is advisable.
In conclusion, while vaping offers an alternative to traditional smoking, it introduces unique challenges and health concerns. As the vaping landscape continues to evolve, understanding its potential impact on lung health remains vital for both current and prospective users. Proceeding with caution and awareness can help mitigate risks associated with vaping.
