Credit: Kennedy News and Media
Symptoms Of ‘Popcorn Lung’ As Teenager Develops Incurable Condition After Vaping
There are some important symptoms of ‘popcorn lung’ to look out for as a teenager has developed the incurable condition after vaping.
Brianne Cullen, 17, reportedly began secretly vaping at 14 years old to help with the anxiety of going back to school after lockdown.
She is said to have puffed on a $25 vape she bought each month for three years.
Her mom, Christie Martin, had no idea she’d taken up the habit, but began growing suspicious when she noticed the teen was frequently ill, and believes this was the cause of Brianne’s condition.
One day, Martin, from Henderson, Nevada, U.S., received a panicked call from her daughter, in which Brianne claimed she was struggling to breathe.
The horrified mom rushed the 17-year-old to a nearby ER, where she was given oxygen, X-rays, and medication.
The teen was also diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, which has been nicknamed ‘popcorn lung.’
‘Popcorn lung’ is a condition that damages your lungs’ smallest airways, making you cough and feel short of breath, explains WebMD.
The American Lung Association explains that over a decade ago, workers in a microwave popcorn factory were sickened by breathing in diacetyl – the buttery flavored chemical in foods like popcorn – hence the condition’s name.
Martin said: “She went to cheer sick, she had a cough and a sore throat. She was lifting up these kids, tumbling, it’s all very straining.
“She called me all of a sudden and said she can’t catch her breath.
“I couldn’t understand her; she kept saying ‘I can’t breathe,’ it was the scariest thing.”
She added: “Cheer saved her life because the exertion that you put out during cheer practice, on top of being sick, she couldn’t breathe.”
Martin was informed by the doctor that the ‘popcorn lung’ was caught early – the long-term effects are unclear.
Typical symptoms of ‘popcorn lung’ include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and fatigue, which can worsen over time.
The mom continued: “The doctor came in and said, we need to have a very serious conversation.
“I didn’t expect the news she gave me, that it was ‘popcorn lungs’ that’s permanent and children are dying from it.
“They caught it early enough because she got sick and went to cheer, she was able to discover it pretty early on.
“We still don’t know if there will be long term effects.”
Brianne was given an inhaler by doctors at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nevada, to help with her breathing.
Four months on from the ordeal, the teen has quit vaping and her mom is now sharing what happened to prevent others from going through it.
“I would urge parents to spread awareness and stop shaming moms,” Martin said.
“Lots of mums are shaming me saying it’s my fault.
“Just because you think your kid isn’t, don’t shame other parents because it might stop them from spreading awareness.
“They used to say cigarettes are healthy and now we know the truth, but we don’t know the truth about vapes.
“We need to work together to take these things off the market.”
Related Article: Boy, 14, Dies After ‘Injecting Himself With Butterfly’ In Horror ‘Online Challenge’
Related Article: People Vow To Never Buy Disposable Vapes Again After Seeing How They’re Made
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