President of the Turkish Respiratory Research Association and Head of the Department of Chest Diseases, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Şule Akçay, in her statement within the scope of February 9 World No Tobacco Day, stated that smoking causes 8 million people to die annually worldwide.
Akçay pointed out that smoking is responsible for 30 percent of all cancers and emphasized that one in every two tobacco users loses their health over time. He stated that tobacco use in Turkey causes the death of 250 people a day.
IT CAUSES ACUTE HEALTH PROBLEMS
Stating that electronic cigarettes cause sudden acute damage in addition to chronic health problems such as cancer, pneumonia, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, Akçay stated that heated tobacco products cause burns if the battery explodes, and the fatty components in them cause lung damage. Stating that a new disease that occurs only in those who consume electronic cigarettes has been identified, Akçay added that the name of this disease has been determined as “EVALI”. He stated that electronic cigarettes cause acute health problems as well as chronic side effects.
IT WAS SEEN ON A 17 YEAR OLD STUDENT
EVALI, which was detected in a 17-year-old American student, emerged when widespread pneumonia was detected in both lungs of the young man who was admitted to the hospital with acute respiratory failure. When a detailed history was taken, it was understood that the young individual had recently used an electronic cigarette. After eliminating many other diseases, it was determined that there was a specific disease associated with vaping and it was called “EVALI”.
SYMPTOMS LISTED
President of the Turkish Respiratory Research Association, Prof. Dr. Şule Akçay shared the symptoms of acute lung injury due to electronic cigarette use. He explained that “EVALI” is diagnosed when the individual has symptoms of sputum, cough, shortness of breath, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite, as well as the appearance of pneumonia on chest X-ray, in case of using electronic cigarettes and their derivatives in the last 90 days.
Akçay emphasized that the most critical step in the treatment process is to end tobacco exposure and warned that permanent damage to the lungs may occur if e-cigarette use continues. Stating that it should not be forgotten that electronic cigarettes are as harmful as traditional cigarettes, Akçay emphasized that electronic cigarettes are not only a tool to quit smoking, but on the contrary, they are another door to smoking and addiction development, and said that this cannot be accepted as a cause of disease.
(AA)
