By dubailife 
Doctors in the UAE have issued warnings about the dangers of long-term e-cigarette use, highlighting its potential to cause life-threatening conditions like “vape punch” and “popcorn lung.”
“Both vape punch and popcorn lung can be fatal, although they affect the lungs differently,” said Dr. Mohamed Saifeldin Abdelrahman Mohamed, a specialist pulmonologist at Thumbay University Hospital.
In a recent case at the hospital, a 23-year-old patient experienced severe lung damage, coughing up blood due to e-cigarette use. Following an MRI that confirmed significant lung injury, doctors immediately advised him to stop vaping.
### What Are Vape Punch and Popcorn Lung?
Vape punch refers to acute lung damage caused by vaping, which can lead to sudden, severe respiratory distress. “Patients may suffer a sharp drop in oxygen levels, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),” explained Dr. Mohamed. “In severe cases, patients may be admitted to intensive care and require mechanical ventilation.”
Popcorn lung, or constrictive bronchiolitis, is caused by inhaling harmful chemicals like diacetyl, which is found in some e-cigarette liquids. “It’s an irreversible disease that damages the small airways in the lungs, causing chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath,” said Dr. Kinan Alkeshk, a pulmonology specialist at Zulekha Hospital in Sharjah.
### Rising Cases Linked to E-Cigarette Use
Dr. Mohamed has seen a growing number of patients with breathing difficulties and lung infections, ranging from teenagers as young as 15 to adults in their 50s and 60s. “Common symptoms include chest pain and coughing up blood, indicating lung damage,” he said. “Many patients develop recurrent chest infections every two to three months, and long-term vaping often leads to reduced lung capacity.”
Healthcare professionals warn that symptoms such as coughing up blood, vomiting blood, or nasal bleeding are signs of severe lung injury and require immediate medical attention.
### Health Risks of E-Cigarette Use
Excessive vaping has been linked to numerous health issues, including respiratory problems like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. “E-cigarettes can cause vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI),” said Dr. Alkeshk. “Chronic use also increases the risk of nicotine addiction, cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure and elevated heart rate, and oral health problems like dry mouth and gum irritation.”
Although the long-term effects of vaping, such as cancer risk, are still under study, Dr. Alkeshk emphasized the dangers of prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes.
### Doctors’ Advice
Healthcare specialists urge the public to avoid vaping or smoking to prevent severe complications like vape punch and popcorn lung. “Introducing harmful chemicals into the lungs can severely impair respiratory function,” warned Dr. Mohamed.
Dr. Alkeshk also advised those experiencing respiratory symptoms from vaping to stop immediately, seek medical help, and avoid further exposure to irritants such as smoke and dust. “It’s essential to be aware of the risks associated with vaping and the chemicals in e-liquids,” he added.
Source : Khaleejtimes