Super-fit gym fanatic dismissed chest pain as 'trapped wind' - in fact vaping had caused his lung to collapse READ MORE: 1 in 6 vapes confiscated from kids contains illegal 'zombie drug' By John Ely Deputy Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 11:08 BST, 13 August 2024 | Updated: 11:10 BST, 13 August 2024 e-mail View comments Gym fanatic Paul Cowling initially dismissed a sudden pain in his chest while 'chain vaping' at his desk as a simple case of 'trapped wind'. However, the 32-year-old was later forced to crawl in A&E in agony as the real culprit was a collapsed lung trigged by his frequent use of the devices. The IT consultant later learned his vaping habit had worn the outer layer of his lung thin, causing a bubble to form on the outside which then popped and caused the organ to deflate like a balloon.
The previously fit and active Mr Cowling, who went to gym two to three times a week, said he became a social smoker in 2015 but took up vaping in 2019. Being able to work from home made it easy for the avid hiker to burn his way four or five disposable vapes a week as he could simply vape at his desk through the working day. Gym fanatic Paul Cowling initially dismissed a sudden pain in his chest while 'chain vaping' at his desk as a simple case of 'trapped wind' However, the 32-year-old was later forced to crawl in A&E agony as the real culprit was a collapsed lung trigged by his frequent use of the devices 'I found through time that vaping is a lot easier to do, especially with stress.
If you have a cigarette, you go outside for a break and have a smoke. With vaping, you can just sit there and chain vape and keep going. I was going through four or five disposable vapes in a seven-day week,' he told the Mirror .
Now on the road to recovery Mr Cowling said he is speaking out about his experience to warn others about the dangers of vaping. His ordeal started when, just like any other day at work, Mr Cowling was vaping at his desk when he felt a sudden sharp pain in his right side. Putting it down to trapped wind he began taking over the counter remedies to treat the mild ailment.
But when he started to struggle to breathe he sought help from his GP who, after an examination, told Mr Cowling he most likely had a collapsed lung and to go to A&E immediately. Read More One in six vapes confiscated from kids at school contains illegal 'zombie drug' Spice, study finds Heading into the A&E at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, Greater Manchester, Mr Cowling was forced to crawl due to the excruciating pain that developed. An X-ray showed the GP's suspicion was correct, his right-lung had collapsed.
Medics attempted to re-inflate the lung by inserting a small tube into his chest which would pump air into the organ, but unfortunately this was unsuccessful. Instead, Mr Cowling had to undergo major surgery in a bid to save the organ. Luckily, this was successful with medics using a type of special medical powder to stick the lung back to the ribcage, given it enough support to re-inflate.
The previously fit and active Mr Cowling, who went to gym two to three times a week, said he became a social smoker in 2015 but took up vaping in 2019 Medics have told the avid hiker there is a 30 per cent such an incident happening to his lungs again due to the extent of the wear and tear on the organs. The surgeons also removed the exploded air sac from the outside of the lung. Mr Cowling explained: 'With the damage done by smoking and vaping, the walls of your lungs thin and they develop air sacs outside of the lung.
The moment I took in the vape it caused one of those bubbles to explode and collapse my lung and because it was so sudden it took a blood vessel with it.' However, medics have told him there is a 30 per cent such an incident happening to his lungs again due to the extent of the wear and tear on the organs. Mr Cowling has now sworn to never touch a vape again.
'It's put me off vaping for life. I haven't touched one since and the surgeon gave me a very stern warning. I was very upset and emotional just thinking about what I had done to myself.
The doctor told me I had the lungs of a really heavy smoker and I was really shocked to hear this. Before this happened to me, I was a very active, healthy person. I was a keen hiker and I can't do that at the moment,' he said.
Read More Heatwave: How VAPING could put you at risk of deadly heat exhaustion Despite NHS chiefs insisting it is safer than smoking, vaping is not risk-free. E-cigarettes contain harmful toxins and their long-term effects remains a mystery. Experts are concerned the high nicotine content might increase blood pressure and cause other heart problems.
Doctors have expressed fears there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age. In April, one shock study warned that e-cigarettes may raise the risk of heart failure. Another suggested vaping triggers cell changes which may go on to cause cancer.
Earlier this year, MailOnline also revealed the number of adverse side effects linked to vaping reported to UK regulators has now eclipsed 1,000, with five of them fatal. E-cigs and vapes allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour — which is produced by heating a liquid, which typically contains propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings, and other chemicals. Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco, nor do they produce tar or carbon — two of the most dangerous elements.
Although widely viewed as safer than smoking, the long-term effects of vaping still remain a mystery. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes.
Doctors have expressed fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age. Last year leading paediatricians also warned children were being hospitalised with vaping-induced breathing difficulties amid a 'disturbing' youth vaping epidemic. NHS figures show a rise in the number of children admitted to hospital due to vaping.
Forty children and young people were admitted to hospital in England last year due to 'vaping-related disorders', which could include lung damage or worsening asthma symptoms, up from 11 two years earlier, the NHS said. This website has previously exposed the predatory tactics of some sweet shops selling capes, including products resembling popular sweet brans like Skittles and Jolly Ranchers. Share or comment on this article: Super-fit gym fanatic dismissed chest pain as 'trapped wind' - in fact vaping had caused his lung to collapse e-mail Add comment.
