Vaping is a healthy alternative to smoking, but, while it virtually reduces all the dangers of smoking, certain side effects have been identified mostly by users. The side effects of vaping usually differ from persons to persons, as a result of the difference in reaction to the components that make up e-liquids. They could also be a result of frequency and manner of vaping. Succinctly, vaping’s side effects are most often incidental.
Perhaps it points to the relative lack of any injurious side effects that there has been little or no robust medical inquisition into the side effects of vaping. Notwithstanding, there still exist many studies on vaping, and also forums dedicated to vaping. Since, e-liquids are produced from chemical processes—including flavors, nicotine, and propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin(VG/PG base)—there are ruling out different reactions from user to user.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common side effect of vaping because it precipitated by its base ingredients, VG/PG base. Although it is especially common to experience dry mouth with propylene glycol (PG), it has been reported among users of vegetable glycerin (VG). The reason is that they are both humectants used preserving moisture. They work by drawing moisture in the air nearby to keep moisture in the object’s surface. In short, these ingredients draw the moisture in the mouth to keep the moisture level in the e-liquid.
Just drinking water or oral hydration product will usually return moisture to the mouth. If dry mouth persists, however, it is advisable to see a doctor. It could point to a severe health issue.
Sore Throat
Sore and itchy is another known side effect of vaping. One cause of this is the nickel-based coil in some atomizers which some users are allergic to. A high level of nicotine combined with propylene glycol can also cause itchy throat. The remedy is to rule out these factors. Begin with issues related to the e-liquid—change flavors, reduce the concentration of nicotine, and replace propylene glycol with vegetable glycerin. When all these are ruled out, and the sore throat still subsists, you will have to be deliberate with choosing an atomizer without a nickel coil. If issue remained unsolved, a visit to the doctor is advised.
Headache
Headaches are common among people who had recently quit smoking. It is a psychological effect as a result of withdrawal from the regular usage of tobacco. While nicotine, which comprises about 95% of the alkaloids in tobacco, is abundant in e-liquids, other minor alkaloids are not present. This absence of these minor alkaloids is responsible for the headaches; the user may be getting nicotine from vaping, but the lack of other alkaloids sets the headaches as a withdrawal symptom.
As a precaution, the headaches can be a symptom of dehydration, especially when you experience it with dry mouth. It is instructive to drink water, in such cases. But if the headache persists, a visit to the doctor is advisable.
Nausea
Nausea may be caused by nicotine. The feeling is familiar with other users of nicotine replacement therapy such as gums and patches. With time you are however supposed to feel better; or else, it is best to seek medical assistance.
Nausea could, however, be connected to a particular type of e-juice. One way to go about this is to observe if the nausea is being set off by a specific e-juice, if it can’t be identified, it is advisable to stop using it or simply use e-liquids without nicotine.
Chest Pain
If there is a strong indication that chest pain is as a result of vaping, it must not be treated lightly. Vaping may cause chest pain for some reasons, such as high nicotine level, excessive heat, or a specific substance in the e-liquid. Users in some forums have identified that certain flavors have given them chest pain.
Nonetheless, chest pain should be treated with the utmost care. It is instructive to visit a physician and rule out any underlying health issue.
Dizziness
Dizziness is a usual feeling when you vape for the first time. It is similar to when you begin smoking, and, like smoking, it will stop as you continue to smoke. The feeling is not as a result of vaping but a reaction to consuming nicotine.
Hence, if the dizziness gives you concern, you can lower the level of nicotine you consume. It is, however, no reason for alarm because it will get better as the body get accustomed to nicotine.
Conclusion: A Case of Nicotine
Majority of the identified side effects are caused by nicotine usage. The same side effects have been identified with other nicotine replacement therapies—many of which tend to disappear with continued usage. It is imperative to approach these side effects with the hazards that come with smoking. The initial discomfort that comes with vaping will usually subside, but smoking is a slow, gradual killer.
