Russia has reported its first confirmed case of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury), a rare and incurable disease linked to vaping. This significant development was reported by the Telegram channel SHOT.
The case was identified in Tomsk, where two teenagers were found to be suffering from severe health complications related to vaping. One of the teenagers was diagnosed with EVALI, while the second displayed signs of toxic effects on the central nervous system caused by inhaling vaping mixtures. Notably, the disease was detected during a routine lung auscultation, where doctors heard a distinctive sound similar to popping popcorn, a hallmark of the condition.
EVALI, first recognized in the United States in 2019, causes severe inflammation in the bronchioles and can result in the formation of scar tissue in the lungs. This can lead to long-term respiratory damage and other serious health issues. The disease is primarily triggered by vaping, as the liquids used in e-cigarettes contain harmful substances, including vitamin E acetate, which has been identified as a key factor in the lung injuries observed in many cases.
Health experts have compared the risks of vaping to those associated with traditional tobacco smoking, noting that both can damage not only the lungs but also the cardiovascular and nervous systems, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded a dramatic rise in vaping-related lung injuries in 2020, with 2,807 cases and 68 deaths linked to e-cigarette use.
The discovery of EVALI in Russia highlights the growing concern over the use of vaping products, which continue to be marketed as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. As medical research into the long-term effects of vaping progresses, the findings suggest that the health risks associated with e-cigarettes may be far more serious than previously thought.
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