Teens Suffering Severe Lung Damage, Vaping Suspected As Cause

KCCI reports that eight teens have been hospitalized with severe lung damage and vaping is believed to be the cause.

The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin reported the hospitalizations to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services stating that every one of the eight teens reported "vaping in the weeks and months prior to being hospitalized."

The teens symptoms included shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, cough, and weight loss, although the severity of their symptoms varied. The hospital stated that some patients even needed assistance breathing.

The number of patients in such a short time frame is definitely a cause for concern according to the hospital.

E-cigarette cartridges can contain toxic chemicals that have been shown to damage lungs...Because these products are still new, the long-term effects of use are not fully understood." -The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin told KCCI.

Doctors have even said that "the prolonged or continued exposure to these chemicals could lead to more serious health issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a permanent condition which makes lungs less effective at transporting oxygen and is permanent."

Vaping isn't just an issue in other parts of the country, it's here in our own backyard as well. According to the Gazette, we've seen a "huge increase of teen vaping at some eastern Iowa schools."

The American Lung Association has kept its stance that vaping is not safe for anyone, especially teens, and that the fruity appealing flavors contain chemicals that can lead to lung damage, according to the KCCI report.

One thing is for sure, no matter what your stance is on vaping, we've got to be more aware of its effects.