Is Vaping Ok For People With Asthma
Some people with asthma might think that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to smoking. E-cigarettes don’t fill the lungs with smoke, but do put nicotine in your system. Besides being an addictive drug, nicotine is also toxic in high doses, and raises blood pressure and heart rate.
Experts also agree that the vapors from e-cigarettes are harmful not only to those to vape, but to those around them.
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. Whats 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.
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.
Final Thoughts On Cbd And Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that when left neglected can pose a real threat to ones life. Common symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest.
Asthma doesnt have a cure, meaning youll need to aim your treatment at the effective management of your symptoms and prevention of flare-ups. With inhalers, pills, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , its possible to live a normal life.
However, regular use of conventional medications has side effects, such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts on top of physical reactions including a sore throat and tatty voice from using asthma inhalers.
A growing number of people with asthma take CBD as a safe and effective alternative for dealing with symptoms without the aforementioned side effects. Some patients have experienced decent results of combining asthma medication with CBD oil.
A recent report from the WHO states that CBD is a safe and well-tolerated compound in humans.
Although no studies have been performed specifically on the use of CBD for asthma, there is evidence that CBD has a bronchodilatory effect, which can help relax the lungs and ease muscle spasms. Taking full-spectrum CBD oil may result in improved lung function and easier breathing.
Remember that smoking or vaping CBD isnt recommended for asthma patients, as both methods entail a risk of deteriorating their symptoms.
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Can Vaping Cause Lung Cancer
Cancer is definitely a concern, given that vaping introduces a host of chemicals into the lungs. But vaping products havent been around long enough for us to learn whether or not they cause cancer.
We do know that smoking tobacco forces tiny particles to be deposited deep in the bronchial tree and can lead to the development of cancer. The same may be true for vaping, says Broderick.
Copd Can Develop In Many Ways
Now, it should be noted that you can develop COPD without smoking. You can develop it due to chronic exposure to chemicals at your work. It can also be caused by a rare gene called alpha 1 antitrypsin. So, you dont necessarily have to smoke to get it. However, it is also known that about 80% of people who develop COPD smoked at some point in their lifetimes.4,5
And its also true that not everyone who smokes develops COPD. Most studies show that about 20-30% of smokers will eventually be diagnosed with it, although I have seen studies showing its as high as 50%. Studies show that children with persistent asthma have a 32% greater risk of developing COPD, and adults with asthma have a 12% greater risk of developing it.4,5
So, with an increased risk already, smoking with asthma can only elevate the risk.
Researchers are not sure why asthmatics have an elevated risk for developing COPD, although some studies seem to suggest that asthma genes may have something to do with it. Smoking may turn some of these asthma genes into COPD genes.2,3
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Benefits Of Marijuana For Asthma
Asthma starts with the inflammation of the airway, which leads to spasms in the respiratory system.
Cannabis asthma management is possible because marijuana is an anti-inflammation and an anti-spasmodic agent that provides some comfort from asthma. The cannabinoids in marijuana connect with cannabinoid receptors in a sufferers immune system. Once marijuana and CB2 connect, they send signals to cells in the affected airway leading to the reduction of the inflammation.
Signs You Actually Have Severe Asthma
Breathing is just one of those things you take for granted until it feels like every inhale or exhale is a struggle. Unfortunately, people with severe asthma have to deal with breathing issues way more often than anyone should, and it can be completely terrifying.
Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects the airways that extend from your nose and mouth to your lungs, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute . When youre exposed to triggers like animal fur, pollen, mold, exercise, and respiratory infections, these airways can narrow, restricting your airflow. This can then make the muscles surrounding your airways constrict, making it even harder to breathe, and cause your airways to produce more mucus than normal, further compounding the problem. All together, this can lead to asthma symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing , and chest tightness or pain, according to the NHLBI.
Like most health conditions, asthma severity runs along a spectrum, Emily Pennington, M.D., a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. Some people have cases where they experience minor symptoms here and there . Others can have asthma that is basically an ever-present problem and might result in scary asthma attacks, which is when symptoms ramp up in severity and can even become life-threatening.
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Legal Issues And Regulation
In many countries in the world, cannabis is illegal for both therapeutic and recreational use. At the federal level, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, which means it cant be used for therapy and recreation. According to the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, the federal government cant enforce this prohibition in states and territories that have chosen to legalize marijuana.
For medical use, 33 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories have made cannabis legal. Indian reservations have the leeway to determine whether or not to legalize marijuana.
CBD hemp extract, on the other hand, is legal at the federal level as long as it contains 0.3% THC. This THC composition is too low to have.
How Vaping Triggers Asthma Symptoms In Teens
It is widely recognized that the inhalation of foreign agents can exacerbate asthma symptoms, and vaping is no exception. Vaping is known to trigger asthma-like symptoms in both asthmatics and non-asthmatics, including labored breathing, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing, likely as a direct result of inhaling vaporization products like propylene glycol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and volatile organic compounds. Regular vaping increases mucus formation in the airways and impairs immune responses to bacteria and viruses in asthmatics.
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Symptoms After An Asthma Attack
How you feel after an asthma attack will depend on how severe the attack was and what triggered it.
If the attack was triggered by an irritant, such as cold weather, pollutants or allergens such as pollen, animal fur or dust, you should recover relatively quickly.
If your asthma attack was caused by an infection, such an upper airway infection, then it might take longer for you to recover. You may have symptoms such as fatigue and exhaustion after your asthma attack.
Do follow any recovery guidance given to you by a doctor or medical professional. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take your medication and attend any necessary follow-up appointments.
If you havent seen your doctor or asthma nurse for a routine appointment recently, book one as soon as possible.
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Health Effects Of Teen Vaping
Teen vaping increased at an alarming rate in recent years. According to the CDC, between 2017 and 2018, vaping increased by 78% among teens, with over 20% of high school students reporting use. The vaping industry has long claimed that e-cigarettes and vape pens are not only safer than conventional cigarettes but that they can protect people from the risks of conventional cigarette smoke and reduce exposure to nicotine.
However, a growing body of literature indicates that these claims are unfounded. Teens often repeat claims that vaping reduces use of the conventional cigarettes, but this implies past cigarette use. Use of conventional cigarettes among teens is at an all-time low, so they do not reap this alleged benefit. Moreover, even nicotine-free vaping among teens is significantly associated with future nicotine use.
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How To Help In An Asthma Attack
If someone is having an asthma attack, always follow the instructions outlined on their medication. However, if they do not have them to hand, these are the steps to follow. These guidelines are suitable for both children and adults.
Be calm and reassuring as reducing the stress and keeping the casualty calm really helps them to control their symptoms. Panic can increase the severity of an attack. Take one to two puffs of the reliever inhaler , immediately using a spacer device if available.
- Stay as calm as you can and encourage them to stay calm too
- Sit them down, loosen any tight clothing and encourage them to take slow, steady breaths.
- If they do not start to feel better, they should take more puffs of their reliever inhaler
- If they do not start to feel better after taking their inhaler as above, or if you are worried at any time, call 999/112.
- They should keep taking the reliever inhaler whilst waiting for the paramedics to arrive
- If the person has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector and you suspect the asthma attack may be due to an allergic reaction and the reliever inhaler is not working administer the AAI. Five this injection into the upper, outer part of their thigh according to the instructions. If worried in any way, check with the emergency services and keep them informed and updated as to the casualtys condition.
DO NOT take them outside for fresh air if it is cold as cold air makes symptoms worse.
The Double Whammy Of Both Vaping And Smoking
Osei expressed special concern for individuals who partake in both e-cigarettes and regular combustible tobacco.
Among the 2 percent of participants in the study who reported using both combustible and e-cigarettes, the dual users were almost six times more likely to report having COPD compared with those who had never used either. Those who smoked only regular cigarettes, however, were only three times as likely to indicate they had COPD compared with individuals who had used neither e-cigarettes nor combustible cigarettes.
Our analysis shows that dual users of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes had the highest odds of COPD, says Osei. The use of e-cigarettes may actually act additively with smoking combustible cigarettes to promote the pathophysiology of COPD.
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Choose The First Time You Experiment With Cannabis Wisely
Waiting until your asthma symptoms manifest to try tomedicate for the very first time is not recommended.
Instead, make sure to experiment in a peaceful, safecontext, and while you are not experiencing any major respiratory issue. Youneed to acquire sufficient knowledge about your body, and how it responds tovarious degrees of cannabis intake. This means that you should be ready tocounter any issue that could arise due to your lack of experience: possiblecoughing, inappropriate dosage, etc.
Once you have a clear understanding of how vaporizingcan affect your breathing, throat and mouth, you can ease into using it topalliate to symptoms such as short breath, wheezing, tightness in the chestarea, for recovering after a severe attack, and even to actually counter afull-blown asthma attack.
Cannabis Is An Antispasmodic
It is thought that cannabis can exert abronchodilatory effect mostly through its ability to reduce inflammation. However,it is also thought that cannabis ability to reduce muscular spasms plays a significant role in the management ofbronchoconstriction during an asthma attack. The bronchi and bronchioles arecomposed of smooth muscle, and during an attack, they contract and narrow aswell as becoming inflamed.
In a study published in 2014, researchers took bronchial lung tissue from 88 human patients and subjected it to electrical field stimulation to cause the muscle tissue to contract. They then administered THC, the endogenous cannabinoid 2-AG, and various synthetic agonists of CB-receptors type I & II. They found that certain agonists of the CB1-receptor, including THC, reduced muscle contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was observed that the endogenous cannabinoid 2-AG had no effect.
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Can Vaping Trigger Asthma Attacks
Research is being done to confirm a link between vaping and asthma attacks. Even though the chemicals used in vaping aerosols are known to be capable of exacerbating asthma symptoms, no definitive link has been established. Doctors still advise that those with asthma should avoid exposure to vapors from e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.
What is Aluna?
Aluna is an innovative, scientifically-accurate, and portable spirometer cleared by the FDA.
This device and management program is designed to help adults and children, 5 years and up, monitor their lung function and take control of their respiratory health.
Aluna automatically tracks your FEV1% over time. You can also monitor your symptoms, medication, exercise, and environmental factors.
With the Aluna app, you can easily
Aluna is seeking to shed light on asthma and other lung diseases by providing accurate and reliable data for healthcare providers and patients.
Be sure to ask your healthcare professional about Aluna and how this device can benefit you.
Whats The Verdict For Vaping With Asthma
Is vaping bad for asthma? Some reports claim that its not, while others clearly indicate that there is a potential threat. People with asthma are usually sensitive to all kinds of chemical irritants.
Exposure to the irritants triggers the inflammation of the airways in such patients. For this reason, health professionals argue that inhaling hot vapor with chemical flavorings in it can cause bronchial spasms.
Does vaping help asthma? Or should people suffering from this health condition stay as far from it as from the tobacco cigarettes? Only comprehensive long-time studies can reveal the truth. As for now, every point of view is nothing more than a hypothesis.
Currently, there is no validated scientific answer to how the exposure to e-cigarette vapor affects asthmatics or non-asthmatic. So, the bottom line is people with asthma who vape do it at their own risk.
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Is There A Safe Form Of Tobacco
To put it in a simple answer, No, there is no safe form of tobacco. Dangerous tobacco products include regular and light cigarettes, cigars, chew, and more. Not only do tobacco products invite a nicotine addiction into your life, they include the inhalation and ingestion of thousands of other chemicals, including the following.
- Arsenic
- Hexamine
- Lead
To avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor, say goodbye to all forms of tobacco, including regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and anything else dangerous to your health.
Studies Of Vaping And Asthma
When a smoker with asthma turns to vaping, it could be beneficial for their health. However, vaping might be not the best solution as well. Of course, vaping saves you from a ton of carcinogenic elements found in tobacco smoke, but it can have some adverse health effect as well.
First of all, asthma and vaping nicotine e-liquids might not be a good choice. Nicotine might cause headaches, dizziness, coughing and even some lung inflammation.
According to the researchers at Indiana University in Indianapolis, e-liquids without nicotine arent completely safe as well. Some flavors of the researched e-liquids can kill lung cells.
Among the reported flavors, there was vanilla, cola, banana pudding, hot cinnamon candies, and menthol tobacco. These flavors are extremely among young people, and kids might crave them without even smoking in the first place.
A study on mice, published by the European Respiratory Society, revealed that exposure to e-cigarettes leads to the destruction of lung cells.
It can also potentially lead to emphysema and asthma. One study isnt enough to give judgment for e-cigarettes. However, it is enough to raise concern and initiate further research.
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Is There A Safe Way To Use Cannabis If You Have Asthma Are There Benefits
There may be potential cannabis benefits for asthma when taking it in other ways than smoking or vaping. Alternative ways to use cannabis include:
- cannabis edibles
- cannabis tincture/oil
- cannabis topical products.
These routes of administration may be safer since they do not impact the lungs the same way inhaled routes do.
In addition, smoking cannabis or being exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke could cause an allergic reaction.
For some people with asthma, cannabis acts as an immediate bronchodilator. A bronchodilator relaxes the airways which can help breathing. But that doesnt make cannabis a long-term solution for asthma control, Zeiger says. Patients need to speak with their doctors about their cannabis use. They should work together with their doctor to decide on the route of administration that is safest for them.
In the PEACE survey, participants also cited their purpose for using cannabis. These included:
- medical reasons
- recreational use
- both medical and recreational use .
Survey participants reported improved sleep, less pain and decreased anxiety after using cannabis. But survey participants also reported increased symptoms after using cannabis:
- coughing
- wheeze
- shortness of breath .
It appears that many asthma and allergy patients are using cannabis for a variety of reasons that may have nothing to do with their asthma, Zeiger says.