February Discussion

This month’s article was a very interesting read. It discusses the relationship between hospitalization and death with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury (EVALI). This is a very relevant topic because it is a growing problem that is happening in today's society. Everyone I know at university vapes or smokes cigarettes, I am the only one who doesn't. Those that vape believe it is a better alternative than smoking cigarettes. Those who smoke are only doing it for social reasons and believe that is okay because they are not doing it all the time. The article mentions there was a higher proportion of hospitalized EVALI patients with fatal cases that had cardiac disease, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I agree with Karina. It does show how important as well as how it can be very harmful to withhold medically relevant information from medical professionals. Withholding this important information can delay treatment, misdiagnose and can lead to death. There was a correlation between those who withheld this information and were discharged, their symptoms would worsen and lead to death. This article was a great read and really eye-opened how it is important to include all the information even if it is bad or embarrassing and how any type of smoking can truly damages your body. Many young adults believe vaping is better than smoking. If there was more information about how it is not a better alternative, it could possibly decrease the number of people who smoke or vape and could save many lives.