Popcorn Lung: Why E-cigarettes Are Banned In India - Ananthapuri Hospitals, Trivandrum

POPCORN LUNG: A SERIOUS IRREVERSIBLE LUNG DISEASE

Love popcorn? Well, definitely not a popcorn lung!

So, What Is Popcorn Lung?

Popcorn lung is fancily named after bronchiolitis obliterans. It is a serious irreversible medical condition in which bronchioles, the smallest airways in your lungs, get irritated and inflamed. As a result, the bronchiole passage narrows down making it harder for air to pass through. This leads to shortness of breath, dry cough, wheezing and tiredness.

What Causes Popcorn Lung?

Popcorn lung was first observed among workers in a microwave popcorn factory. An investigation revealed the cause to be breathing in diacetyl—the buttery-flavoured chemical in foods like popcorn. However, popcorn lung has a variety of causes like breathing in toxic fumes, respiratory infections and so on.

How Is Popcorn Lung Related To E-cigarettes?

Even though researches prove that diacetyl causes popcorn lung, it hasn’t stopped e-cigarette companies from using this harmful chemical for flavouring. 

The Indian government has banned the sale, storage and manufacture of e-cigarettes for the safety of the public. Why inhale chemicals on purpose when we are at a point where we are opening oxygen bars to get some fresh air? 

Vaping e-cigarettes can put you at risk of this dreadful lung disease. The long-term effects of vaping are yet to be established - research is still ongoing. 

Ananthapuri Hospitals has a highly advanced pulmonology department with a specialised unit providing diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive services for the management of respiratory diseases.

To book an appointment, call us at +91 9400332777 or visit our hospital at Chacka, NH Bypass, Thiruvananthapuram.

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• Popcorn Lung
• Lung Disease