What is popcorn lung, and can I get it from vaping?
If you’re still new to vaping, popcorn lung seems extra frightening, but you might be wondering if it’s really something to worry about, or nothing more than a horror story curated by news outlets.
While it’s a real and serious illness, some cases being linked to vaping, it’s not a widespread issue or major cause for concern – but we understand if you need a little more convincing.
In this post, the experts at Cloudstix explain everything you need to know about popcorn lung, and if vaping can actually cause it.
What is popcorn lung and what causes it?
Popcorn lung, or bronchitis obliterans, is an uncommon type of lung disease, in which a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs blocks the flow of air.
The term might sound strange, but like most things, there’s a deeper meaning behind it.
Over a decade ago, staff in a microwave popcorn factory were sickened by breathing in a chemical – diacetyl – a buttery flavoured compound found in foods like popcorn, caramel and dairy products
While it may be delicious and completely safe to eat, the chemical was linked to hundreds of cases of popcorn lung and even resulted in some fatalities when inhaled.
Is it curable?
Currently, there’s no cure for popcorn lung – according to Healthline – but there are treatments to help alleviate symptoms.
Depending on the patient’s symptoms, doctors may prescribe:
- Cough suppressants
- Bronchodilators (medication to help reopen the airways)
- Oxygen supplementation
Patients living with the most severe cases of popcorn lung may even be offered a transplant!
Does vaping cause popcorn lung?
A few years ago, it was discovered that the same compound found in foods like popcorn and caramel, was also found in some e-liquids.
As a result, headlines circulated that vaping causes popcorn lung, but there wasn’t (and still isn’t) any real evidence to support these claims.
In the UK, since the adjustments to the Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) in 2016, diacetyl has been banned from e-liquids, and here at Cloudstix, we always ensure that all of the products we stock are free from this and any other nasty contaminants.
Shop high-quality vape products with Cloudstix
Since 2011, we’ve been providing only the highest quality vape products to our customers in the UK, and you can be confident all of our e-liquids are fully TPD compliant and meet every current health and safety legislation.
If you’re worried and have any concerns when it comes to vaping, we’re always here to help and are more than happy to answer any of your questions.
Be sure to give us a call on 0345 257 6544 or send your query by email to [email protected], and a member of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
