What is EVALI? The term EVALI stands for E-Cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury. It was originally known as VAPI, but the new term came in response to the growing number of severe lung illness cases related to using E-cigarettes and vaping products.
The common six symptoms of E-Cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury include: shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, fever and chills, diarrhea and nausea, rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing.
The diagnosis of E-Cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury is mainly a process of elimination; since symptoms can be similar to many other respiratory diseases like pneumonia and seasonal flu.
Several tests are performed to patients to rule out other potential diseases and conditions. Tests may include listening to lungs, checking heartrate, measuring blood oxygen saturation and chest X-ray or CT scan.
Treatment for patients suffering from E-Cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury include antibiotics and/or antivirals and corticosteroids, while severe cases might need hospitalization and could need being placed on ventilator.
The Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Al Salam Hospital has made steady progress to be able to offer the highest quality of patient-centered care for individuals with lung and respiratory conditions. Specialized multidisciplinary team of pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, and critical care specialists spend huge efforts to stay at the forefront of pulmonary medicine research and technology while using a variety of modern diagnosis techniques and advanced medical solutions for a large scope of conditions; such as for example but not limited to: asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and sleep-related disorders.
References:
- American Lung Association, 2022
- National Institute of Health, 2022
- Cleveland Clinic, May 2023
