Vaping Patients Recovering from Lung Illness

Most of the nearly 400 patients hospitalized from vaping-related lung disease will likely recover, but they may have long-lasting complications. Many of the patients are suffering from a type of pneumonia called lipoid pneumonia, NPR reported. This occurs when lipids, or oils, enter the lungs, causing a profound inflammatory reaction. One 18-year-old vaping patient was told that he had the lungs of a 70-year-old. Many of the patients are recovering and discharged from the hospital within several days, doctors say, but they may be left with long-term damage. Though the effects are unknown, this type of severe inflammation likely causes some irreparable damage, such as scar tissue, which may lead to issues like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease down the road. Experts also emphasize that the illnesses appear to be associated only with black-market products, with no cases linked to products sold through medical marijuana programs.