Teen diagnosed with popcorn lung after vaping

A 17-year-old high school cheerleader from Nevada has been diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, commonly known as 'popcorn lung,' after secretly vaping for three years. The condition is chronic and irreversible, causing symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, and fatigue.

She began vaping at age 14 to cope with anxiety from returning to school after the COVID-19 lockdown. In January, during cheerleading practice, she experienced difficulty breathing and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors caught her condition early, and while her current prognosis is stable, long-term effects such as cancer remain a concern. She now uses an inhaler, and her future lung health is uncertain.

Her mother, unaware of her vaping habit, is now advocating for awareness about the dangers of youth vaping. She urges parents to be vigilant and proactive in preventing their children from vaping, stressing the serious health risks involved.

Popcorn lung gets its nickname from a chemical called diacetyl, once used to flavor microwave popcorn and now commonly found in some vaping products. Inhaling it over time can scar the smallest airways in the lungs, making it hard to breathe and causing symptoms that mimic chronic respiratory illness.

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