Pulmonary illness related to the use of e-cigarettes has been a primary topic in the news lately, and it’s now affecting us here in California. Two people, in Los Angeles and Tulare Counties, have died from lung diseases associated with vaping. Here’s everything you need to know:
An unnamed Tulare County man has died of complications resulting from e-cigarette use.
Google Maps The 40-year-old had allegedly been in the hospital for several weeks prior to passing away.
Upon admission to the hospital, he was placed on a breathing machine after being unable to breathe independently.
USAG- Humphreys/Flickr Unfortunately, this effort proved futile, as he ended up succumbing to his illness. This marks at least the seventh vaping-related death in the U.S. Fatalities were also reported in Indiana, Oregon, Illinois, and Minnesota.
In total, three Tulare County individuals have contracted a pulmonary illness linked to vaping. While the exact products used are currently unknown, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes have been implicated as some of the most likely culprits for vaping-related sickness in general.
Vape pen cartridges containing THC are also correlated with lung disease.
Flickr/marazmova In fact, all 380 of the people who have fallen ill reported a history of using this type of product.
One additional California death has been documented, this time in Los Angeles County.
Google Maps In response, Governor Gavin Newsom has taken executive action to crack down on e-cigarette use across the state.
Hallmark symptoms of vaping-related illness include coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and even vomiting and/or diarrhea in severe cases.
Flickr/oh_darling Visit a doctor or call 911 immediately if you or someone you know starts experiencing any of these signs.
The popularity of e-cigarettes and vapes has grown steadily since their inception, with an estimated 41 million people worldwide reporting use in a 2018 study conducted by the World Health Organization.
Google Maps
The 40-year-old had allegedly been in the hospital for several weeks prior to passing away.
USAG- Humphreys/Flickr
Unfortunately, this effort proved futile, as he ended up succumbing to his illness. This marks at least the seventh vaping-related death in the U.S. Fatalities were also reported in Indiana, Oregon, Illinois, and Minnesota.
In total, three Tulare County individuals have contracted a pulmonary illness linked to vaping. While the exact products used are currently unknown, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes have been implicated as some of the most likely culprits for vaping-related sickness in general.
Flickr/marazmova
In fact, all 380 of the people who have fallen ill reported a history of using this type of product.
In response, Governor Gavin Newsom has taken executive action to crack down on e-cigarette use across the state.
Flickr/oh_darling
Visit a doctor or call 911 immediately if you or someone you know starts experiencing any of these signs.
Vaping-related illness is a new challenge for doctors to diagnose and treat, as e-cigarette and vapes are still newer technology, so there are few extensive studies on the health effects and safety of use. Information about the disease and its effects is limited; however, investigations into the individual cases and products used by those who have fallen ill and/or died are ongoing. Several reports mention high levels of Vitamin E found in certain e-cigarette cartridges as a potential contributing factor, but there has yet to be a conclusive determination about the exact source of the illnesses.
Did you know about these vaping-related deaths in California? Let us know your thoughts on the matter.
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