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E-cigarettes effects on health - Coggle Diagram
E-cigarettes effects on health
Short-term Effects
Increased Heart Rate
E-cigarettes deliver nicotine directly to the lungs which stimulates the body and results in a spike of adrenaline. This leads to a increase in the users heart rate and blood pressure, although this increase is not life threatening- it can still create significant stress on the cardiovascular system. Although these symptoms stop shortly after using the e-cigarette, repeatedly experiencing these symptoms can strain the heart over time.
Sickness
Those who don't partake in smoking often tend to inhale higher doses of nicotine than the body can properly dispose of, leading to mild nicotine poisoning that causes dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea. Certain chemicals used to flavor the e-cigarette cartridges can cause user to feel "nic sick" which can cause vomiting, upset stomachs, and a weakened immune system that is much more venerable to catching viruses.
Respiratory Issues
Smoking e-cigarettes often leaves users with throat discomfort due all the chemicals that can irate the respiratory system , causing users to experience constant coughing and nausea. Inhaling the vapor can also temporarily block airways which can lead to shortness of breath, especially to individuals that already have respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies.
Long-term Effects
Heart Issues
The nicotine found in e-cigarettes tend to raise blood pressure, heart rate, and adrenaline levels, which are all factors that lead to heart attacks and strokes. E-cigarettes can also ruin the quality of life for many individuals because they lead to many cardiovascular diseases like asthma or atherosclerosis. These diseases cause users experience shortness of breath and narrow arteries which makes it so that users have a hard time performing daily tasks like exercise or even walking short distances, reducing these physical activities over time can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle with risk of diabetes and obesity.
Cancer Risk
Many of the chemicals found in e-cigarette vapor are carcinogenic substances (e.g., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and nitrosamines) and exposure to them long-term can increase the risk of developing cancerous cells, especially in the lungs and throat. This type of cancer starts from damage to the DNA in the lungs and bladder cells which leads to cell mutation that may be cancerous
Lung Damage
Long -term use of e-cigarettes exposes the lungs to harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein which are known to be irritants and can inflame airways. This can lead to countless diseases like bronchitis or pneumonia which causes excess mucus production, constant coughing and difficulty breathing. Not only will smoking lead to lung disease, but it can also cause permanent physical scarring of lung tissue, which effectively reduces the elasticity and air capacity of the lungs.
Addiction
Gateway Drug
Majority of young adults with a nicotine addiction tend to form other addictions down the road, nicotine simply paves the path to other harmful substances and addictive behaviors. This is often referred to as a "gateway effect" where the brain begins to change the way it works and produce dopamine which leaves users to want more.
Nicotine Dependency
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that is known to effect the brain in a way that makes it crave nicotine and dopamine regularly. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine to the bloodstream quickly which reinforces the body's dependance on nicotine to function properly. Teens are the most venerable to e-cigarette addictions because their brains have not fully developed, teens are also more likely to rely on smoking as a way to cope with all the changes and obstacles they face day-to-day. Over time the nicotine will not have the same effect as it did when they first started using because their bodies will build a tolerance towards nicotine, this will lead them to require higher dosages which only deepens their dependency on e-cigarettes
Prevention
Educate and Regulate
Raising awareness that educate others on the risks of e-cigarette use is essential for preventing nicotine addiction, especially in young adults and teens. Raising awareness shows the health consequences of smoking, including addiction, lung damage, and potential long-term effects. Enforcing strict age limits to purchase anything containing nicotine can prevent teens from getting their hands on these substances and prevent them from being able to form addictions.