Popcorn Lung: Teen’s Vaping Habit Leads to Irreversible Lung Disease

The following is excerpted from an online article posted by SciTechDaily.

An American teenager was recently reported to have developed the oddly named medical condition “popcorn lung” after vaping in secret for three years. Officially known as bronchiolitis obliterans, popcorn lung is a rare but serious and irreversible disease that damages the tiny airways in the lungs, leading to persistent coughing, wheezing, fatigue, and breathlessness.

The term “popcorn lung” dates back to the early 2000s when several workers at a microwave popcorn factory developed lung problems after inhaling a chemical called diacetyl – the same ingredient used to give popcorn its rich, buttery taste.

Diacetyl, or 2,3-butanedione, is a flavoring agent that becomes a toxic inhalant when aerosolized. It causes inflammation and scarring in the bronchioles (the smallest branches of the lungs), making it increasingly difficult for air to move through. The result: permanent, often disabling lung damage.

Diacetyl is officially banned in e-cigarettes in the EU and UK, but not in the US and other jurisdictions. And illegal vapes that may not comply with regulations are common.

The scariest part? There’s no cure for popcorn lung. Once the lungs are damaged, treatment is limited to managing symptoms. This can include bronchodilators, steroids, and in extreme cases, lung transplantation. For this reason, prevention, not treatment, is the best and only defense.

Source: SciTechDaily
https://scitechdaily.com/popcorn-lung-how-vaping-could-scar-your-lungs-for-life/