After a 17-year-old girl was diagnosed with a health condition known as 'popcorn lung' following a vaping habit, here are all the symptoms of the condition you can look out for.
Brianne Cullen, from Henderson, Nevada, was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans - the scientific name for 'popcorn lung' - three years after she secretly began vaping at the age of 14.
She called her mom saying she was struggling to breathe, and after being rushed to the ER she learned she had a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs, which blocks the flow of air and results in the condition.
'Popcorn lung' is irreversible, and can also cause problems like cancer in the future. To help her cope, doctors gave Brianne an inhaler to assist in her breathing.
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What causes popcorn lung?
Bronchiolitis obliterans occurs due to damage in the smallest airways in your lungs, which can make you cough and feel short of breath.
According to WebMD, the condition earned its nickname because it can sometimes be caused by breathing in a chemical called diacetyl, which is sometimes used to flavor microwave popcorn.
Diacetyl is also used in some electronic cigarette flavors in the US, as is acetaldehyde - another common cause of popcorn lung.
Anyone can get popcorn lung through an infection or exposure to substances, but the disorder is rare.
What are the symptoms of popcorn lung?
There are two main symptoms of popcorn lung which typically begin to occur between two weeks and two months after you've been around a toxic gas or had an illness.
WebMD reports that the main symptoms are:
- A dry cough
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms are more likely to occur while carrying out exercise or heavy labor.
Other symptoms of the condition include feeling tired without an obvious reason, or wheezing even if you don't have asthma or a cold.
Cleveland Clinic reports that additional symptoms include fever, night sweats or a skin rash, though it's possible for people who develop popcorn lung to initially not have any symptoms at all.
Can popcorn lung be treated?
While popcorn lung causes lasting damage, there are various treatments that can help ease the issues it causes.
Doctors may be able to issue antibiotics or steroids to ease the inflammation, or provide medications that slow down the immune system to help protect your airways from additional damage.
Medication can also be used to treat coughs and open up the airways to make it easier to breathe.
Emily Brown