ShareBy Majd Othman
KUWAIT: A study conducted by Ronald Reagan Medical Center at the University of California revealed using electronic cigarettes or vapes just once or for the first time can affect the health greatly. Researchers have monitored a significant increase in the levels of what is known as “oxidative stress” in people after they underwent a first smoking session. The study also showed that vaping in general can cause brain damage, increase risk of heart disease, leaky gut and even brain fog.
Kuwait Times spoke to Dr Nouh Baqer, Senior Specialist, Respiratory and Internal Medicine, and discussed with him the effects of vaping on the respiratory system, especially since it has become very popular among individuals and teenagers, and the reasons that attracts people to vape, unlike regular cigarettes.
Dr Nouh Baqer“Despite some international medical centers recommending vapes and e-cigarettes for those trying to quit smoking, over the last decade or two, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased quite significantly among the public, especially among the youth and younger generations,” Dr Baqer said. “Meanwhile, the most important disadvantage with these devices is how it got picked up among other people, as these devices don’t have many disadvantages of traditional cigarettes such as foul smell and bad breath, and how it is very bothering to those surrounding smokers in public spaces,” he pointed out.
“E-cigarettes have the opposite effects, which attracts younger people and teenagers to use them. Above all, it is one of the most addictive substances known, and these teenagers or individuals can easily pick up a bad and very dangerous habit, which is not stigmatized against when it comes to smell or the previously mentioned disadvantages,” he added.
Regarding the dangers of e-cigarettes, he explained these devices contain three main components —nicotine, liquids, mainly glycerol, and flavors. “The huge problem is that the manufacturing is not always the same, as we are not really sure what is added or taken out when it when it comes to substances. Probably up to 700 substances can be added for flavor,” Dr Baqer said.
“The degree of inflammation that can associated with the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping can vary between different companies. When it comes to vapes sold on the streets, it becomes even more dangerous, because people can easily manipulate and add addictive substances that can cause lung injury. In medical terms, it is called EVALI — electronic cigarette or vaping associated lung injury — and can cause very significant lung tissue inflammation, leaving the patient very vulnerable to hypoxic respiratory failure,” Dr Baqer said.
“In addition, some of the oils that are used in these devices depends on how sensitive each individual is, which also can result in recurrent infections. If I will put in order main side effects caused by smoking electronic cigarettes, the number one is addition to nicotine, then EVALI, then recurrent infections in individuals who are predisposed,” he said, adding these effects can’t be generalized as they vary between one individual and another. “Therefore, I would never really advocate e-cigarettes to those who are trying to stop smoking.”
On other hand, Dr Baqer mentioned the differences between regular and electronic cigarettes. “What is still to be studied is the risk of cancer that is associated with e-cigarettes, even though they should be less carcinogenic. Meanwhile, traditional cigarettes have very carcinogenic and harmful substances, in addition to the effect of nicotine,” he stressed. “What is in common between regular smoking and e-cigarettes is that they increase the work of the heart muscle, or what is called cardiac work.”
