The Harm of Electronic Cigarettes on the Body: A Scientific Review

Electronic cigarettes have become popular in recent years in an attempt to reduce tobacco use. However, the effects of these devices on our health are still a matter of debate. The harmful effects of electronic cigarettes on the body have been documented by scientific research. Here are some of these effects:

1. Effects on the Respiratory System

Electronic cigarette vapor contains many chemicals that can be harmful to the lungs.

Inflammation of the Lungs and EVALI: EVALI (Lung Damage Associated with Electronic Cigarettes) cases are increasing due to the use of electronic cigarettes. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) data, EVALI causes severe inflammation in the lungs, manifesting itself with symptoms such as breathing difficulties, cough and chest pain (CDC, 2019). Harmful substances such as acetaldehyde and formaldehyde contained in electronic cigarette liquids can trigger this condition by damaging lung cells.

2. Cardiovascular Effects

The use of electronic cigarettes can lead to negative effects on cardiovascular health.

Risk of Heart Disease: Electronic cigarette nicotine can increase the risk of heart disease by increasing heart rate and blood pressure. A study has shown that electronic cigarette users are more prone to heart disease than non-smokers (Miller et al., 2020).
Kalp Hastalıkları Riski: Elektronik sigara nikotini, kalp atış hızını ve kan basıncını artırarak kalp hastalıkları riskini yükseltebilir. Yapılan bir çalışma, elektronik sigara kullanıcılarının, sigara içmeyenlere göre kalp hastalığına daha yatkın olduğunu göstermiştir (Miller et al., 2020).

3.Effects on the Immune System

Weakening of the Immune Response: Research shows that the use of electronic cigarettes can negatively affect the immune system. E-cigarette vapor can reduce the activity of immune cells in the lungs, which leads to becoming more susceptible to infections (Chiriboga et al., 2020).

4. Oral and Dental Health

work Meat Diseases: The use of electronic cigarettes can lead to a number of problems that can cause gingivitis and tooth decay. Research shows that electronic cigarette users experience more oral health problems than traditional smokers (Cotti et al., 2020).
Risk of Oral Cancer: Some chemicals found in electronic cigarette liquids may increase the risk of oral cancer. Nicotine and other harmful components can cause cellular changes in the oral mucosa.

5. Psychoactive Effects

Nicotine Addiction: Most electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, which has the potential to create addiction. Nicotine leads to addiction by stimulating reward centers in the brain. This may also pave the way for individuals to turn to alcohol or other drugs (Schneider et al., 2017).
Effects on the Developing Brain: Electronic cigarette use, especially starting at a young age, can have permanent effects on the developing brain. This condition can negatively affect cognitive functions such as learning ability, attention and memory (NASEM, 2018).

Result

Although electronic cigarettes are considered an alternative to traditional tobacco products, they can cause significant harm to health. These devices, which cause various negative effects on respiratory, cardiac, immune and oral health, should be evaluated consciously by users. The healthiest option is to completely avoid tobacco and tobacco products.

Resources

CDC. (2019). Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products.
Miller, A. L., et al. (2020). Cardiovascular Effects of Electronic Cigarettes: A Review of the Evidence. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Kumar, S., et al. (2018). Impact of Electronic Cigarettes on Cardiovascular Health. Journal of Cardiology.
Chiriboga, D., et al. (2020). Electronic Cigarette Use and Immune Response. Journal of Immunology.
Cotti, C., et al. (2020). Oral Health Effects of Electronic Cigarette Use: A Review of the Literature. Dental Research Journal.
Schneider, M., et al. (2017). The Impact of Nicotine on Brain Development. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.
NASEM. (2018). Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.