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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Health
Neil Shaw

Vaping may be causing more lung damage than previously thought, researchers fear

New research has found that vaping causes more damage to the lungs than previously thought.

Dozens of deaths linked to vaping are believed to be just "the tip of the iceberg," it is feared.

As part of a study, a US team released CT (computed tomography) X-rays of a 24-year old-man who had been vaping daily.

The patient, who had a history of asthma, had been suffering shortness of breath, chest pain and fever for a week, Kent Live reports .

The X-rays showed worrying abnormalities, caused by fats from vaping oils found in his lungs.

The study was published in the journal Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging and urged scientists to further research the effect vaping has on the lungs.

The paper was titled: "Electronic Cigarette or Vaping-associated Lung Injury (EVALI): The Tip of the Iceberg."

Dr Suhny Abbara of the University of Texas (UT) said: "Radiologists will continue to play an important role in recognising this emerging entity.

"We encourage the medical imaging community to produce scientific evidence and medical knowledge to help advance our collective understanding of the effects of e-cigarette use on the lungs and other organ systems."

The patient in question had been regularly using e-cigs, as well as tobacco and marijuana, and had a high blood count when tested, indicating disease.

Tissue samples revealed he had the respiratory illness lipoid pneumonia, which doctors believe was triggered by vaping.

The man was subsequently prescribed steroids by doctors.

Up to last week, 1,604 cases of lung injury associated with vaping had been reported across the US - with 34 resulting in death.

For the latest news in and around Bristol, you can check back on Bristol Live's homepage .

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