There have been several reports regarding the promotion of e-smoking as a “better” alternative to regular cigarettes with the aim of quitting this bad habit, but the harms of e-cigarettes to health are also endless.
In this regard, the “Mirror” website published a report explaining what happens to the body when using electronic cigarettes, following speaking with two specialist doctors regarding the harms.
Immediate effect
Dr. Kewan Khan, a general-private physician at Harley Street Clinic, London, revealed that vaping allows the body to absorb nicotine quickly, which leads to an immediate increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
“The sudden rush of nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine, which creates a feeling of pleasure,” he said. Depending on the level of nicotine in the e-liquid, e-cigarette smokers may feel a state of relaxation or alertness.” It can also cause immediate irritation of the throat and lung lining, which may lead to coughing or dry mouth.
The specialist expert, JP Thova Amuthan, agrees with this, explaining that electronic cigarettes also release smoke that contains harmful substances, such as ultra-fine particles and volatile organic compounds.
As for a regular cigarette, the direct consequences are slightly different. Although nicotine reaches the brain quickly, it provides a feeling of addiction and comfort. But carbon monoxide (CO) also begins to bind to hemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing the blood’s ability to transport oxygen.
“In addition, tar (a sticky residue) covers the airways and lungs, impairing ciliary function and promoting mucus production, which can hamper lung function and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections,” Amuthan added.
After 10 minutes
Dr. Khan says that following 10 to 30 minutes of vaping, you may feel “shaky or anxious,” but your heart rate and blood pressure will stabilize during this period.
However, Amuthan points out that inhaling the volatile particles found in e-cigarettes may cause severe lung irritation.
After 30 minutes
The acute effects of vaping following 30 minutes of use have not been extensively studied, but may lead to “short-term changes in cardiovascular function and lung physiology,” Amuthan said.
He added: “The inflammatory response caused by aerosolized particles may contribute to airway irritation and respiratory symptoms, although the long-term consequences remain uncertain.”
After 1 hour (desire stage)
Dr. Khan warns of irritation or the desire to smoke once more one hour following using e-cigarettes, due to “the appearance of withdrawal symptoms.”
However, the residual effects of nicotine “continue to cause persistent changes in heart rate and blood pressure,” Amuthan says.
Long term effects
In 2022, UK experts reviewed international evidence, finding that “in the short and medium term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking.”
The British National Health Service (NHS) says that because vaping has not been around for long, it is difficult to know the risks of long-term use.
Dr. Khan agrees that more research is needed so we can better understand the long-term risks. But he says some evidence suggests potential health risks associated with chronic e-cigarette use, including chronic lung damage and respiratory problems.
Source: Mirror
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2024-04-22 10:54:34