“Stop vaping” – that’s the recent message from
North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services, along
with numerous federal health agencies. Our pulmonary health expert at
Catawba Valley Healthcare System (CVHS), Dr. Kathy Wilson, weighs in on
the growing health concern about lung illness and the use of e-cigarette
products or “vaping” devices, including liquids, refill pods,
and cartridges.
Dr. Kathy Wilson says, “Vaping involves heating a liquid to produce
an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs. Other than the commercially
available liquids that typically contain nicotine, users are also buying
liquid products off the street that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),
cannabinoid (CBD) oil or a number of other chemical substances, for which
the long-term effects are mostly unknown. As developing research indicates
a potentially dangerous link between vaping and respiratory illness, lung
damage, and even death, we encourage patients to play it safe and don’t
vape.”
Quality patient care begins with educating patients about health risks
and symptoms to prevent illness or disease. The vaping epidemic is particularly
alarming given its popularity among teenagers as well as adults trying
to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. From 2017 to 2018, e-cigarette
use among high school students increased by 78 percent, according to a
survey conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey suggests the surge
in e-cigarette use is likely due to the popularity of certain types of
easily concealed vaping devices that resemble USB flash drives.
“Although e-cigarette manufacturers often market vaping as a less
dangerous option than smoking tobacco cigarettes, we caution against using
any product that contains nicotine,” Dr. Wilson emphasizes. “E-cigarettes
can deliver nicotine in higher concentrations per puff than traditional
cigarettes and, given their small size and less noticeable odor, make
it easy for users to puff on them frequently throughout the day.”
Until more is known, please consider refraining from using e-cigarette
or vaping products. If you are an adult who used e-cigarettes containing
nicotine to quit cigarette smoking, do not return to smoking cigarettes.
If you are dependent on nicotine, it’s better to use safe cessation
tools that are proven to be effective in curbing cravings for tobacco
products. Nicotine patches, nicotine gum and other smoking cessation products
are designed to help smokers wean off nicotine. Unlike e-cigarettes, they
are proven to work. A national toll-free quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, also
serves as an access point for anyone seeking help to quit smoking.
Patients with smoking/vaping-related health symptoms should immediately
contact their primary care provider, go to one of
Catawba Valley Medical Group’s urgent care locations, or visit the Catawba Valley Medical Center Emergency
Department.
Vaping-Related Symptoms:
- Chronic lung infections
- Persistentcoughing, shortness of breath, respiratory illness or chest pain
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea
- Fatigue or fever
Catawba Valley Pulmonology
providers Dr. Peter Alford, Dr. Kathy T. Wilson and Marcella Miller, RN,
MSN, FNP-BC, treat conditions such as lung disease, emphysema, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory failure, lung injuries
and more at their practice located at 3521 Graystone Place SE, STE 202,
Conover, NC 28613. For more information, please call 828.326.2660.
A referral is required.