Health Editor’s Note: Nicotine is a health hazard. Nicotine is a strong parasympathomimetic alkaloid that comes from the nightshade plant family. Nicotine is highly addictive and is one of the most commonly abused drugs.
Nicotine jump starts the sympathetic nervous system (the one used for fight or flight) as it causes the adrenal gland to release epinephrine (adrenalin) which causes an increase in heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure and also increased blood glucose (sugar) levels. While release of adrenalin is good for helping us to get away from danger, it becomes harmful to have increased blood pressure and heart rate every time nicotine is consumed. Nicotine use for a developing brain, such as a child or teenager, is obviously harmful for brain development.
The liquid in an e-cigarette is usually made from nicotine, glycerine, propylene glycol, and flavorings. Not all e-cigarettes, which are the tool for vaping, contain nicotine but many do. While there had been a decline in tobacco use by teenagers, vaping is thought to be causing an increase in nicotine use by the young. Why vape?…..Carol
Vaping Rises Among Teens
By National Institutes of Health
A new survey found an alarming rise in the number of American teens who tried vaping last year. The study suggests that vaping may be driving an increase in nicotine use for teens.
In vaping, a battery powered device called an e-cigarette heats a liquid into a vapor that can be inhaled. The vapor may contain nicotine (the addictive drug in tobacco), flavoring, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used with marijuana, hash oil, or other substances.
Vaping may pose serious and avoidable health risks. Exposure to nicotine during youth can lead to addiction and cause long-term harm to brain development. The vapor can also contain toxins (including ones that cause cancer) and tiny particles that are harmful when breathed in.
More than 44,000 students took part in the 2018 annual survey of drug, alcohol, and cigarette use in 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. About 37% of 12th graders reported vaping in 2018, compared with 28% percent in 2017. Vaping of each substance that was asked about increased. This includes nicotine, flavored liquids, marijuana, and hash oil.
“Vaping is reversing hard-fought declines in the number of adolescents who use nicotine,” says Dr. Richard Miech, who led the study at the University of Michigan. “These results suggest that vaping is leading youth into nicotine use and nicotine addiction, not away from it.”
“Teens are clearly attracted to the marketable technology and flavorings seen in vaping devices,” explains Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse. “However, it is urgent that teens understand the possible effects of vaping on overall health, the development of the teen brain, and the potential for addiction.”
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator.
She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues.
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