Side Effects of Vaping – A complete guide

Side Effects of Vaping — Myth or Fact?
The human body is like a piece of sophisticated machinery. It has a smooth functioning with all the organ platforms acting at an optimal and coherent state. A bit here and there may often be adjusted with automatic ease, however, sometimes it may show signs of malfunction too. When an unaccustomed substance is being introduced into the system, it may react and there can be side effects. It may show the negative effect to inhale, ingest or being in touch with certain chemical ingredients. E-liquid used for vaping is one such thing when human bodies react to. But, unfortunately, even the safest foods we eat can sometimes result in side effects too!

E-liquid contains three major components, including a VG (Vegetable Glycerin) / PG (Propylene Glycol) base, various flavoring, and most importantly, Nicotine – which is either derived through chemical processes from tobacco or synthetically created.
Therefore, it means that vaping will have certain side effects, which can range from temporarily dry mouth to even serious health issues. Nicotine in the e-liquid also adds another dimension to some of the side effects, more so if the user had never smoked a cigarette or had no other exposure to the substance.

Vaping Side Effects & Research
Talking about Vaping – one should understand that although it has a long history behind it, the surge in its popularity is relatively very new. E-cigs and other vaping instruments and vaporizers are almost like new habit-forming behavior, such as that of internet addiction, social media addiction, thus vaping being the subject matter of research in recent times.
Having said so, amazingly, we already find many studies on vaping. Surveys give us more insights into its beneficial and negative effects. Some of the research report the adverse effects in current and former smokers are:
· Dry mouth
· Sore mouth
· Headache
· Tongue inflammation
· Black tongue
· Dizziness
· Sleepiness
· Sleeplessness
· Allergies
· Chest pain
· Breathing problems

Changes in some users’ emotional state, sexual performance, and memory are also observed. Another study shows that the short-term effects that vaping has on the lungs are similar to the ones from smoking.
However, data shows that depending on various individual factors and the history of use, some of the adverse side effects may entirely or partially be resolved over time.

Body-Resistance to Accepting Vapor
This is important to note that most of the side effects are usually temporary and are an initial reaction of the body to reject vapor. With time, when our body becomes regular to it, the side effects usually disappear within a few hours or days at the most. However, we are unaware of the long-term negative effects of vaping on the human body owing to a lack of long-term data.

Does Vaping Cause Long-Term Damage?
Negative side effects are a fact.
But as compared to smoking, vaporizers are more harmless and may even prove more effective in improving health conditions relatively. After switching from smoking to vaping majority of users with chronic diseases such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and obstructive lung diseases have reported improvement in their physical and health condition. Gerry Stimson, a public health social scientist, confirms those results.

Vaping: Incidents & Usage
Reports on negative effects are also occasional because of improper usage. Without proper structuring between nicotine and vape levels, incidents as Vape Explosion may occur. It is advisable to familiarize oneself with the structuring of the levels.
Ingesting pure nicotine may be poisonous and deadly, hence, should always be kept away from the under-aged and pets.
It should not be licked if falls on the skin but should be wiped off and washed.

Chest Pain and Vaping
Chest pain may be caused by various reasons while vaping. They are :
· excessive heat
· specific flavorings in a particular liquid
· high nicotine content

Whatever the cause may be, chest pain is not a minor problem but signifies a more serious health issue.
If chest pain occurs while vaping, one should try to change all settings first – like changing the device power, next up would be reducing the nicotine level thereby reducing its content. Changing the vaporizer (coil) may sometimes be effective as well. And lastly, having a break from vaping for a while. Chances are that it would clear things up, if not, one should consult a physician asap.

How can the Side Effects of Vaping be reduced?
By taking simple precautionary measures, fortunately, one can eliminate most side effects of vaping or at least reduce them. There may be different reasons for different effects –

Dry Mouth and Skin Issues
Dehydration due to vaping can cause dry mouth or dry throat. There may be itchy, flaky, and red skin. Vapor has the nature to attract water molecules from the surroundings which could be felt in the mouth. Such an issue may be neutralized by consuming lots of fluids thereby staying hydrated – which is essential.

Dizziness
This is caused by an excessive intake of nicotine that your body can handle. This effect is commonly associated with sub-ohm when large plumes of vapor are entered. Fortunately, fixing this issue is by simply switching on to e-liquid with a lower nicotine strength or vaping at a higher resistance.

Caffeine Sensitivity
Many people who switch to vaping, feel subtle withdrawals and tend to drink more coffee or other caffeinated drinks which is referred to be as caffeine sensitivity and result in anxiety and mood swings. Just by reducing the intake of caffeine, all these symptoms would quickly dissipate.

Allergies
As mentioned earlier, almost all e-juices come with a PG/VG base. Despite being considered “generally safe” by the FDA, PG can trigger a few allergies. VG, on the other hand, is derived from vegetables and goes easy on the body system. So, using high PG e-liquids and experience allergies may be resolved by switching to high VG e-liquid.

Canker Sores
Canker sores (not cold sores) are small, shallow blisters inside the mouth – the cause of which may be of several reasons, namely – injury to the mouth, vitamin deficiency, acidic and spicy foods, hormone disorders, and stress. But vaping or consuming e-liquids with an unclean mouthpiece may give rise to this issue, though not directly responsible. E-cig mouthpiece should always be kept clean because it tends to accumulate a lot of gunk.

In conclusion, avoid purchasing vaping products from the “black market” or if you are in Bangladesh, avoid the purchase of vaping products from the gutter of the “New Market” in Dhaka. Always purchase products from well-established shops and make sure they are knowledgeable in this subject matter.

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