A mum was recently warned about the dangers of bronchiolitis obliterans, otherwise known as 'popcorn lung', after her daughter was rushed to hospital struggling to breathe.
The mum got a call from her 17-year-old daughter, who could barely speak over the phone, trying to tell her that she couldn't breathe properly.
It turned out she'd been secretly vaping for the past three years and doctors diagnosed her with 'popcorn lung', identifying it as the cause behind the teenager's breathing problems.
It's a condition which is affecting a number of vapers, and the condition can be fatal in the most serious of circumstances.
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So what actually is this and what are the warning signs to be looking out for?
What is bronchiolitis obliterans?
It's a serious form of lung disease which known commonly as 'popcorn lung', and involves scarring to the airways of your lungs that impedes your ability to breathe properly.
Patients being treated for it will often need to be given oxygen, and in the most serious of instances the problems it causes can end up killing the patient.
What causes 'popcorn lung'?
This condition is caused by inhaling toxic chemicals such as diacetyl, which used to be used to give microwaveable popcorn a buttery flavour.
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This is where the term 'popcorn lung' came from, as people working at a food processing plant where they made popcorn had inhaled the chemical and started suffering serious lung damage as a result.
E-cigarettes have various chemicals in them which the person vaping inhales, and prolonged exposure to some unhealthy chemicals could end up causing cases of 'popcorn lung' in people.
Staying away from cigarettes and vapes is recommended if you don't want to develop 'popcorn lung'.
It also affects a lot of people who have had a lung transplant, even if they have not inhaled toxic chemicals.
The symptoms of 'popcorn lung'
There are various symptoms which can alert you to the lung damage before it gets serious, but many of them can be mistaken for short term illnesses and you may overlook them.
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The symptoms to be on the lookout are:
- Coughing, especially during and after exercise. Coughs may sometimes bring up mucus.
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially during and after exercise.
- Wheezing.
- Tiredness.
- Fever.
- Night sweats.
- Skin rash
How long does it last?
Unfortunately, once you've got bronchiolitis obliterans then you'll be living with the effects of it for the rest of your life.
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The damage done is irreparable, treatment can only slow down the damage done to a person's lungs.
There are treatments and therapies to help you breathe better again, but there is no cure and you'll spend the rest of your life dealing with the symptoms.
Joe Harker