top of page
Search

E‑Cigarettes and Lung Health: Understanding the Risks of EVALI

  • Writer: Aku Energija
    Aku Energija
  • 6 hours ago
  • 4 min read

E‑cigarettes and vaping devices are often presented as a safer alternative to smoking. Sleek design, appealing flavors, and marketing messages focused on stress relief or harm reduction have shaped public perception over the last decade. Yet clinical evidence paints a more concerning picture. One of the clearest warnings comes from EVALI — E‑cigarette or Vaping Product Use–Associated Lung Injury — a condition that highlights the real and potentially lasting health consequences of vaping.

This article summarizes current medical findings on EVALI and related health risks, with emphasis on long‑term outcomes often overlooked.

What Is EVALI?

EVALI (also referred to as VAPI — Vaping‑Associated Pulmonary Injury) is a serious lung condition formally identified in 2019 during a large outbreak in the United States. It presents as an acute or subacute respiratory illness and can clinically resemble infections, pneumonia, or other inflammatory lung diseases.[1, 2] [Read more: How viral infection like Cold and Flu Develop in the view of Traditional Chinese medicine]

EVALI typically manifests with non-specific respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and general symptoms (fever, fatigue) are also commonly reported, which can delay recognition of a lung‑centered illness.[1, 2]

What Causes EVALI?

EVALI has been strongly linked to vaping products containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis), especially from unregulated sources. A key culprit is vitamin E acetate (VEA), found in over 90% of hospitalized patients. Inhaled VEA disrupts normal lung function and triggers inflammation, impairing oxygen exchange.[1, 2]

While VEA played a central role in the outbreak, it is important to note that EVALI is not the only health risk associated with vaping, and cases of lung injury have been reported in users of nicotine‑only products as well.[1, 2]

Treatment and Acute Outcomes

Management of EVALI is largely supportive and depends on disease severity. This may include:

  • Supplemental oxygen

  • Hospitalization in moderate to severe cases

  • Systemic corticosteroids for patients with progressive respiratory symptoms

Many patients show clinical improvement with steroid therapy, although controlled trials are limited. Importantly, cessation of vaping is essential for recovery. Recovery is often incomplete, even after the acute phase.[1, 2] [Read more: Quitting smoking]

Long‑Term and Cognitive Consequences

While EVALI is a respiratory illness, studies on survivors show that the consequences extend far beyond the lungs. Even one year after the initial diagnosis, many survivors—who were often young (average age 31) and relatively healthy—experienced significant, long-lasting impairments:

  • Cognitive impairment: 39% of survivors reported some form of cognitive impairment.

  • Persistent respiratory limitations: Reported by nearly 48%, even when standard lung function tests appeared normal

  • Mental health effects:

These outcomes resemble post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), showing that vaping-related lung injury can affect the whole body. Despite the severity, only about one-third fully stopped vaping or smoking, highlighting strong nicotine and THC dependence.[2, 3]

Nicotine, Aerosols, and Chemical Exposure

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive stimulant that affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It can disrupt stress regulation, reinforce dependence, and is particularly harmful to adolescents and young adults, whose brains are still developing.[2, 3, 4]

Vaping aerosol is not harmless water vapor. It can contain heavy metals (nickel, tin, lead), volatile organic compounds, ultrafine particles, and toxic by-products like formaldehyde. Flavorings such as diacetyl may harm lungs when inhaled, and solvents like propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) have uncertain long-term effects on lung tissue.[4]

Even nicotine-only products carry significant health risks.

Unexpected Effects: Eye Health and Vaping

Emerging clinical observations suggest that vaping may also affect ocular health.[5]

Reported risks include:

  • Increased likelihood of cataracts and glaucoma at a younger age

  • Oxidative stress in ocular tissues after short periods of vaping

  • Dry eye symptoms, including redness, irritation, and discomfort

Oxidative stress contributes to macular degeneration and other eye conditions, raising further concern for long-term exposure.

A TCM Perspective: From Stimulation to Restoration

From a holistic health perspective, vaping represents a form of chronic chemical stimulation that can disrupt the body’s natural balance and ability to recover. Prolonged exposure to nicotine and other harmful substances can affect both physical health and emotional well-being, reducing resilience and overall vitality.

Instead of relying on substances like nicotine for temporary relief, a focus on restoration and balanced daily routines can support long-term health. This includes attention to nutrition, regular habits, stress management, and supportive therapies that help the body recover and maintain overall well-being.

Key TCM Approaches:

TCM focuses on supporting the body’s natural capacity for healing rather than providing temporary stimulation, offering a sustainable path to calm, clarity, and well-being.

Support for Lung Health and Well-being

EVALI underscores a critical truth: vaping is not a harmless alternative to smoking. Evidence shows it can lead to lung injury, cognitive challenges, mental health disturbances, and systemic effects — even in young, otherwise healthy individuals.

Awareness should move beyond marketing claims toward evidence-based understanding. The goal is not simply to swap one harmful habit for another, but to promote long-term health, resilience, and true recovery.

If you’re concerned about the effects of vaping or want support to restore balance, our clinic offers guidance, TCM therapies, and lifestyle advice to help you recover naturally and safely.

Sources: 

Comments

bottom of page