Vaping and Asthma: The Risks, Benefits and Side Effects

Can vaping cause asthma?

The effects vaping may have on the body are still a topic of research. However, studies claim that the consequences of smoking are similar to the potential risks of vaping. Vaping may damage the lung cells of the user, while nicotine and e-liquids can lead to inflammation of the lungs. In particular, research shows that e-cig exposure may cause asthma.

Is vaping beneficial for people with asthma?

People who vape report that vaping has a beneficial effect on their symptoms. What’s more, the release of moisture helps sinus congestion. Research shows that individuals who switched to vaping report some significant improvement in the long-term. Last but not least, a survey reveals that vaping may reverse the risk of asthma and lung damage in smokers.

More doctors are recommending that asthma patients go to the steam room to help with their asthma. The moisture in the air helps relieve some symptoms. The problem with steam rooms is the extreme heat. Could vaping deliver the same results without needing to sit in a hot room full of steam?

Vaping and Asthma

Do you think before you take another breath of fresh air? The truth is that for many people breathing has become an automated behavior. However, for people who have asthma, their chronic wheezing and coughing often makes breathing a conscious process that reminds them how precious health is.

Nevertheless, some habits die hard, and people with asthma continue smoking or vaping. In fact, the act of smoking or vaping can also grow into a learned and automated behavior. While it’s been proven that cigarettes have an adverse effect on asthma, the topic of vaping and asthma is still covered in mist.

How Does Vaping Affect People With Asthma?

With misleading nicotine levels and a bunch of chemicals, some of which – carcinogenic, vapes are not as safe as people believe. What’s more, experts urge people to realize that vaping might not be the ultimate solution for asthmatics who are trying to quit smoking.

Vaping affects the body in numerous ways. First of all, nicotine may cause inflammation of the lungs, which may worsen asthma symptoms. In fact, a study showed that the short-term effects caused by smoking are similar to vaping. Coughing, dizziness, headaches, and the list goes on and on.

Researchers at Indiana University in Indianapolis found out that e-cigs without nicotine also affect the lung cells. What’s more, research on lung tissues growing in a lab dish showed that tempting flavors, such as banana pudding, hot cinnamon candies, kola, menthol tobacco, and vanilla, can kill lung cells. In fact, experts warn people that with such flavors, companies target young users.
The chemical diacetyl made to make those flavors is known to have caused popcorn lung or bronchiolitis obliterans in workers in factories that produce the chemical or others that inhaled it from making the flavoring for buttered popcorn. Hence the term popcorn lung.
One thing to note, however, is that even though the chemical diacetyl is present in those vape juice flavors, it does not necessarily mean that vaping them will cause popcorn lung. The study showed that as of yet there is no correlation, but it should serve as a warning and to indicate that more research is needed before making a safety determination.

E-cigarette exposure also leads to the destruction of lung cells and may cause asthma and emphysema. A study on mice published by the European Respiratory Society was the first one to reveal the possible ways vaping and secondhand exposure may cause asthma. Although these findings should not trigger mass panic, more regulations on vaping are needed, at least until additional data is collected.

Is It Safe To Smoke With Asthma?

At the same time, people who suffer from asthma report that vaping has a beneficial effect on their condition and users claim that vapes serve as inhalers. One of the explanations is that vaporizers release moisture into the air that helps sinus congestion. Additionally, users say that by adding herbs, such as peppermint, symptoms do not cause any trouble.

Experts backed up these beliefs and showed that people who switched to vaping (or used vaping to reduce their smoking), showed impressive levels of improvement regarding their condition. In fact, 12-month and 24-month follow-ups supported the long-term benefits of vaping on asthmatics.
Smoking is one of the worst things somebody with asthma can do to themselves. Even though studies have not given the all clear as far as the safety of vaping is concerned, it certainly shouldn’t be considered as bad or worse than smoking with asthma.

Can Vaping Reverse The Risks Of Asthma In Smokers?

Surprisingly, vaping can reverse lung damage. A worldwide Internet survey with more than 19,000 users revealed that 76% of ex-smokers with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who switched to vaping, reported improvement in breathing, physical state, and senses. Additionally, a third of participants claimed they were able to decrease their medications.

As mentioned earlier, the effects of vaping and its link to asthma are still a topic of research. While some consumers report some miraculous benefits of vaping, research still shows that vaporizers (even nicotine-free) can harm the lung tissues.

Wouldn’t you think again before your next puff?