Chronic health issues that may be caused by vaping
Vaping, also known as e-cigarettes has become popular in recent years as an alternative to traditional tobacco smoking. Even though vaping has been perceived as a safer and healthier alternative to tobacco smoking, recent studies show that it can lead to a number of chronic health issues. These include;
Respiratory diseases- One of the growing concerns is the impact of vaping on respiratory health. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes contains a range of potentially harmful chemicals such as nicotine, flavoring agents, and heavy metals. These chemicals, once inhaled can irritate the lungs and cause inflammation leading to long-term damage that can result in Bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and Asthma (Chatham-Stephens et al., 2019, p.157). One of the recent studies by Bhatta et al., (2018, p.886), found that vaping was associated with an increased risk of chronic bronchitis symptoms including phlegm production, chronic cough, and wheezing. Another study conducted by Cho et al (2019, p.73), found that e-cigarette use was associated with increased risks of Asthma in adolescents. The study showed that when non-users were compared with e-cigarette users, the latter were more likely to report symptoms of Asthma such as wheezing, and shortness of breath. In yet another study conducted by Moheimani et al., (2018, p.65), Vaping was found to be associated with a chronic respiratory disease known as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study by Moheimani et al., (2018, p.65) found that vaping was associated with high risks of COPD even among people who have never smoked the traditional cigarette. The study also showed that people who used an e-cigarette were more likely to show symptoms of chronic bronchitis such as cough and Phlegm products and reduced lung functions.
Cardiovascular Disease-Vaping has also been associated with cardiovascular diseases. One study conducted by Bhatnagar et al, (2016, p.290), found that vaping was associated with increased risks of high blood pressure. The study which included information on over 400,000 people in the united states found out that those who vaped were more likely to develop high blood pressure than those who did not vape. Another study conducted by Chaumont, et al (2018, p.2826), found that vaping increased blood pressure and heart rate in young healthy adults which increased the risks of cardiovascular diseases. The study found that people who use e-cigarettes were more likely to have a stroke. Glantz, & Bhatta, (2019), note that e-cigarette contains chemical and substances such as nicotine, heavy metal, flavoring, and other addictive which causes inflammation and damage to blood vessels. This can cause atherosclerosis, or the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure. Middlekauff et al (2019) also note that E-cigarette increases heart rate and blood pressure putting additional strain on the heart and blood vessel.
Tertiary and secondary health promotion strategy to address respiratory problems
One of the chronic health issues associated with vaping as discussed above is Respiratory health problems such as Bronchitis, Asthma, and COPD. These respiratory problems not only affect the health of an individual but also reduce their quality of life (Karami & Kianmehr, 2019, p.24). It is thus important that appropriate health promotion strategies are put in place. In this section, a tertiary and a secondary health promotion strategy that can be used to address the respiratory problem associated with vaping will be discussed.
Secondary health promotion strategy: Screening and testing
Secondary health promotion is those strategies employed to detect and treat health problems at an early stage to prevent the development of more serious health conditions (Baker, 2012, p.8). They include strategies such as high blood pressure screening, mental health screening, and cancer screening among others (Baker, 2012, p.8). Secondary health promotion strategies aim to detect and treat health issues in their early stages to prevent them from becoming serious health problems. program. In regard to chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD, regular screening and testing is an important secondary health promotion strategy, especially among those at high risk. Regular screening and testing not only help diagnose COPD early but also help take necessary interventions at an early stage before serious damage is done to the lung. As noted by Qaseem et al (2011, p. 179), early diagnosis of COPD is critical since damage to the lung cannot be reversed. Therefore, by diagnosing COPD early, interventions such as smoking cessation intervention, and treatment among other can be initiated early to help manage symptoms, prevent exacerbation, and slows the progression of the disease. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (2021, p.6) also noted that screening and testing for COPD can also help improve the quality of life. Qaseem et al (2011, p. 180), note that COPD can have a significant impact on individuals’ quality of life, and as such early diagnosis can help improve symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue allowing individuals to live a better quality of life. Qaseem et al (2011, p. 181), further note that, screening and testing for COPD help prevent complications. If left undiagnosed and treated, COPD can lead to complications such as respiratory failure, hearts problem, and lung cancers. Screening and testing can help detect the disease at stages and hence help prevent such complications, despite this, screening and testing for COPD as its limitations. First, as noted by Qaseem et al (2011, p. 181), screening and testing for COPD may not be accurate in some populations. For instance, spirometry may be less accurate in individuals with severe lung disease who may not be able to perform the necessary breathing maneuvers. Secondly, Screening and testing for COPD may not always be accessible to all individuals especially those low-income or in rural areas. This can lead to disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease (GOLD, 2021, p. 11).
Tertiary Health Promotion Strategy: Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Tertiary health promotion strategies refer to those measures taken to improve the quality of life for those individuals who have already been diagnosed with a chronic condition (Kumar, 2018, p.393). So, in our case, tertiary health promotion would seek to improve the quality of life for those individuals who have been diagnosed with one of the chronic respiratory issues associated with vaping i.e. asthma, COPD, and Bronchitis. Pulmonary rehabilitation is one such strategy. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program designed to improve lung function and reduce symptoms to improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases (Holland et al., 2017, p.89). It involves a comprehensive approach that includes exercise training, education, and psychosocial support. The exercise training would include activities such as cycling and walking which not only help improve lung function but also overall physical fitness. The education element includes information on how to live a healthy lifestyle, how to manage the condition's symptoms, and avoid triggers. The psychosocial supports involve peer support and counseling which is meant to improve emotional well-being and coping skills (Holland et al., 2017, p.89).
Pulmonary rehabilitation has been found to be an effective intervention for people with respiratory problems. One study by Papalia et al., (2019, p.317) found pulmonary rehabilitation improves lung function and reduces symptoms in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases leading to improved exercise capacity, dyspnea, and health-related quality of life. However, pulmonary rehabilitation may not be easily accessible and affordable for everyone. According to Lahham & Holland (2021, p.1236), only 3 percent of people with chronic lung diseases globally are able to access pulmonary rehabilitation. Furthermore, some patients may not be able to participate in exercise training which is one component of pulmonary rehabilitation due to physical limitations or comorbidities (Lahham & Holland, 2021, p.1236).
Health literacy
Health literacy refers to an individual’s ability to access, understand and use health information to make an informed decision about their health (Berkman et al., 2011, p.97). It encompasses a lot of skills including the ability to read and comprehend health-related information, communicate effectively with health professionals, and make informed decisions about own health (Berkman et al., 2011, p.97).