Teens Lung Collapses Due to Vaping

In 1997, about 36.5% of teenagers smoked. Teenagers getting hooked on nicotine is not a new concept. However, electronic cigarettes are.

For years, scientists have studied cigarettes and the effects they have on the human body. However, the concept of vaping is still fairly new.  As of September 2019, 380 lung illnesses have been reported across the nation.  A majority of these cases are young adults and teens.

Many scientists believe that a certain chemical in the vape juice is the root of these lung diseases. The chemical is called diacetyl; It is used to add flavoring into the vape juice.

Vaping liquids also contain chemicals such as propylene glycol and glycerol. These chemicals are directed linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease. Seventeen-year-old Tryston Zohfeld was recently hospitalized from side effects caused by vaping. As of June, he began feeling pain in his chest. In late July, he was admitted into the hospital after waking up extremely ill.

“I woke up at 6:30, just throwing up everywhere,” Zohfeld said. “I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest. You know, going 100 miles an hour. I was doing these half breaths. I could not get a full breath in, even with an inhaler.”

His health quickly declined. He lost 30 pounds over his treatment. His lungs were so damaged that they developed scar tissue.

Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that they are looking into over 94 cases of lung diseases. These diseases are thought to be linked to vaping.

As of fall 2019, President Donald Trump is avidly trying to ban e-cigarettes due to this recent uproar. Many civilians agree with this ban, as it is greatly affecting teenagers.

Considering that vaping is fairly new, doctors and scientists are still not 100% sure that it is directly the cause. However, they are frantically getting to the bottom of it.