Hailey Tran
E-cigarettes and vaping devices have become increasingly popular worldwide since their global market entry in 2007. However, the use of these devices has been linked to severe lung injuries, with symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, nausea, and acute respiratory distress. As of February 2020, over 2,800 people in the US had been hospitalized due to vaping-related lung injuries, with 68 deaths reported. This condition, known as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), has been primarily associated with the inhalation of vitamin E acetate, a chemical found in some THC-containing vaping products. While the number of EVALI cases has declined since its peak in August and September 2019, the condition has raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with vaping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | As of February 2020 |
| Number of Hospitalized Cases | 2,807 |
| Number of Deaths | 68 |
| Age Range | 13-75 years old |
| Median Age | 24 years old |
| Gender | 70% Male |
| Primary Cause | Vitamin E acetate |
| Treatment | Supportive care, Corticosteroids, Supplemental oxygen, Mechanical ventilation, Antibiotics, Antivirals |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis of exclusion, based on symptoms and patient history |
| Symptoms | Shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, nausea, vomiting, fever, dehydration, acute respiratory distress |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- By February 2020, there were over 2,800 hospitalisations and 68 deaths
- Vitamin E acetate interference with lung function may be a cause
- THC-containing e-cigarettes are associated with a higher risk of EVALI
- Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and severe breathing difficulty
- Treatment includes supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation
By February 2020, there were over 2,800 hospitalisations and 68 deaths
Vaping has been linked to a range of health issues, including lung disease and lung injuries. The use of e-cigarettes has been associated with severe lung problems and even deaths. This condition is known as e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury, or EVALI.
By February 2020, there had been over 2,800 hospitalisations due to EVALI, with 68 confirmed deaths. The outbreak emerged against a backdrop of an ongoing vaping epidemic, particularly among young people. According to the CDC, 15% of EVALI patients were under 18 years old. The median age of persons affected by EVALI is 24 years, and ages range from 13 to 75 years. The outbreak began in March 2019, with a cluster of cases in the USA involving patients who had developed lung injuries from using e-cigarettes.
EVALI is a clinical diagnosis that requires the use of an e-cigarette in the preceding 90 days, pulmonary infiltrates, and the absence of other possible causes such as infection. The symptoms of EVALI are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, like pneumonia and the flu, making diagnosis challenging. It is characterised by a range of clinicopathologic findings that mimic various pulmonary diseases. While the exact cause of EVALI is still under investigation, vitamin E acetate, a chemical added to some THC-containing vaping products, has been identified as the primary agent associated with the condition. Vitamin E acetate was found in the lung fluid of 48 out of 51 EVALI patients, indicating a strong link to the illness.
The treatment for EVALI typically involves supportive care, including supplemental oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation. In more severe cases, mechanical ventilation or an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine may be required. Antibiotics and antivirals may also be administered due to the difficulty in distinguishing EVALI from bacterial or viral infections. The number of new EVALI cases has declined since September 2019, likely due to public health messaging about the link between THC in e-cigarettes and EVALI, as well as the removal of vitamin E acetate from these products.
Understanding Insurance: How Hospitals Verify Your Coverage
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vitamin E acetate interference with lung function may be a cause
As of February 2020, there have been over 2,800 hospital admissions for e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) in the US, with 68 deaths reported. EVALI is a clinical diagnosis that requires the use of an e-cigarette in the 90 days preceding the appearance of initial symptoms.
Vitamin E acetate interference with lung function is a suspected cause of EVALI. Vitamin E acetate was identified in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples from 48 out of 51 EVALI patients, but not in the BAL fluid from the healthy comparison group. Vitamin E acetate is a chemical with a clear presence in the majority of EVALI patient lung fluid samples. It is used as a thickening agent in unregulated THC-vaping products.
Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant that occurs naturally in many foods, including vegetables, vegetable oils, seeds, and fruits. Vitamin E acetate usually does not cause harm when ingested as a vitamin supplement or applied to the skin. However, previous research suggests that when vitamin E acetate is inhaled, it may interfere with normal lung functioning.
One of the proposed mechanisms for EVALI-associated lung damage is the potential interaction of vitamin E with pulmonary surfactant (PS) in the lungs. PS is a phospholipid layer that lines the tiny air sacs in the lungs, known as alveoli, which allow the bloodstream to exchange carbon dioxide with oxygen. An issue with vitamin E is that it is lipophilic, meaning it has an affinity for phospholipid layers like PS. It has been suggested that vitamin E could penetrate the PS layer, disrupting the organization of lipid molecules and changing the surface tension. This could lead to lipoid pneumonia, an illness characterized by lung inflammation.
However, some experts argue that it is unlikely that vitamin E acetate alone could cause the severe lung damage associated with EVALI. The high temperatures achieved by vaping and e-cigarette devices may serve as a catalyst for unpredictable chemistries in the vaping mixture, leading to thermal decomposition of molecules into potentially more hazardous chemicals.
Nursing in VA Hospitals: A Unique and Rewarding Career
You may want to see also
Explore related products
THC-containing e-cigarettes are associated with a higher risk of EVALI
Vaping can cause significant health risks, including lung disease. The use of e-cigarettes has been linked to sudden and severe lung problems, including deaths, and this condition is called e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, or EVALI. As of February 2020, over 2,800 e-cigarette users had been admitted to hospitals in the US due to EVALI, with 68 deaths reported.
The CDC has strongly advised against the use of all THC-containing e-cigarettes or vaping products. Data indicates that using THC-containing products more than five times daily is associated with a higher risk of developing EVALI. The CDC also recommends that adults who use vapes or e-cigarettes to quit smoking tobacco should only purchase vaping products from commercially authorized vendors. In addition, potentially harmful practices such as "dabbing" or "dripping," which involve directly applying vaping liquid to the heating element, should be avoided as they increase the risk of lung injury.
The number of new EVALI cases has declined since September 2019, likely due to public health messaging about the link between THC in e-cigarettes and EVALI, as well as the removal of vitamin E acetate from these products. However, it is important to note that some cases of EVALI may be missed or attributed to other causes, such as infection. The outbreak of EVALI cases also highlighted the need for continued surveillance of THC-containing e-cigarette use and expanded education about the potential risks associated with their use.
When to Seek Medical Help for a Fever
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and severe breathing difficulty
E-cigarette, or vaping product use-associated lung injury, also known as EVALI, is a serious medical condition that can lead to hospitalisation and even death. By February 2020, the CDC had recorded over 2,800 hospitalisations due to EVALI, with 68 deaths caused by the condition.
EVALI is characterised by a range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, and severe breathing difficulties. These symptoms typically develop gradually, with shortness of breath and chest pain preceding more severe breathing problems that may necessitate hospital admission.
The condition is believed to be caused by exposure to harmful chemicals present in e-cigarettes and vaping products. Vitamin E acetate, a synthetic form of vitamin E found in some THC-containing vaping liquids, has been identified in the lung fluid of EVALI patients and is considered a primary contributor to the illness. Other chemicals and contaminants may also play a role, and the exact mechanisms by which vaping harms lung function are still being investigated.
It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the symptoms associated with EVALI, as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for optimal patient care. Treatment for EVALI typically involves supportive care, including supplemental oxygen and, in more severe cases, mechanical ventilation. Antibiotics and antivirals may also be administered while diagnostic tests are being finalised, as EVALI can mimic the symptoms of bacterial and viral infections.
Scottsdale Abrazo Health: A Teaching Hospital?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Treatment includes supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation
E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, or EVALI, is a potentially fatal disease. As of February 18, 2020, a total of 2,807 hospitalized EVALI cases or deaths have been reported to the CDC from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Sixty-eight deaths have been confirmed as of February 18, 2020.
The mainstay of treatment for EVALI is supportive care, which includes supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation. Supplemental oxygen is administered to maintain oxygen saturation of 88 to 92% via nasal cannula, high-flow oxygen, or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). The severity of symptoms determines whether the patient needs hospital admission or can be managed on an outpatient basis. Respiratory distress, comorbidities that compromise pulmonary reserve, or decreased oxygen saturation (less than 95% while breathing room air) are strong indications that the patient will require hospital admission.
If hypoxemia is severe, management may require mechanical ventilation with a lung protective strategy similar to acute respiratory distress syndrome. In some cases, affected individuals have progressive respiratory failure, leading to intubation and mechanical ventilation. A ventilator is a machine that either partially or entirely breathes for the patient. A recent study of 98 patients showed that as many as 76% of the cases needed supplemental oxygen, 22% required non-invasive ventilation (NIV), and 26% required intubation and mechanical ventilation.
Corticosteroids may also be prescribed to help reduce inflammation. These can be administered via an inhaler or a nebulizer. However, corticosteroids can potentially worsen an underlying respiratory infection, so it is important to involve a pulmonologist when starting the patient on corticosteroids.
Jones Bridge Animal Hospital: How Far is it?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of February 2020, there were over 2,800 hospitalizations due to vape lung, also known as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury).
As of February 2020, 68 deaths had been reported.
Symptoms of vape lung include nausea, chest pains, shortness of breath, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Treatment for EVALI includes supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, and antivirals.
EVALI is believed to be caused by the inhalation of vitamin E acetate, a chemical found in some THC-containing vaping products.
