WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is looking for a common ingredient to connect 530 illnesses and eleven deaths caused by consuming vaping products. No one cause has come to light despite researchers’ persistent efforts. Each case seems to have an independent reason with the sole exception that the person who fell ill was […]
Looking for common thread in vaping illnesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is looking for a common ingredient to connect 530 illnesses and eleven deaths caused by consuming vaping products. No one cause has come to light despite researchers’ persistent efforts. Each case seems to have an independent reason with the sole exception that the person who fell ill was vaping. CNBC said that some cases involved THC-infused vaping products, others contained CBD oils, while still others contained nicotine. All of the patients presented with the same general symptoms that mimic pneumonia.
The experts consider solving the vaping illness epidemic a challenge because there is no common thread. Not all cases involve THC, although there are many, some cases involve oils, and still, others include CBD products. Physicians say that the illness presents as lipoid pneumonia. Lipoid pneumonia is a rare form of the disease which occurs when oil coats a person’s lungs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are heavily involved in trying to solve this mystery. The CDC is testing 150 samples of vaping substances while trying to cast as wide of a net as possible to uncover the hidden connection. The CDC is examining vaping products containing THC, nicotine, cutting agents, toxins, poisons, other cannabinoids, as well as opiates. To that extent, the CDC is looking at the problem as though it was street-level narcotics distribution.
Physicians experience another problem, as well. Doctors are limited by what their patients tell them. Doctors rely upon the accuracy of the information they get from their patients unless another credible source controversy the patient’s vaping history. In other words, patients might not be telling their doctors the entire story behind how they got sick.
