Her mother, Christine Martin, said that Brianne Cullen, who is now 17 years old, started vaping when she was 14 years old. She took up the habit in order to cope with the fear that she had about going back to school after the Covid-19 lockdown, as reported by The Daily Mail.
After attending cheerleading practice in January, the adolescent from Nevada made an unexpected phone call to her family, according to Martin. “I can’t breathe,” she said over and over again. Martin, who hurried her daughter to the hospital upon hearing the news, described it as “the most terrifying thing.”
The prognosis was not good at that location; Cullen was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans. The American Lung Association states that it is a rare and chronic condition that is often referred to as “popcorn lung.” This is due to the fact that it was first identified in workers at microwave popcorn plants who acquired it as a result of breathing in diacetyl, which is an artificial flavoring. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), popcorn lung may also be caused by acetaldehyde, which is present in vape smoke.
The progressive condition is characterized by symptoms such as wheezing, tiredness, and shortness of breath.
According to Martin, “I did not anticipate the news that she relayed to me, which was that it was popcorn lungs that is permanent and children are passing away as a result of it.”
In spite of the fact that Cullen’s prognosis is favorable “because we caught it so early,” her mother notes that “it can also cause problems like cancer in the future… popcorn lung is irreversible.”
As of right now, Cullen is dependent on an inhaler to assist her with breathing, and according to what Martin shared with the source, “We do not know the status of her lungs any longer.” As of right now, we do not know whether or if there will be long-term repercussions.
It was revealed that she was unaware that her daughter was using a vape pen. Despite the fact that I often entered her room, I never once seen her using a vape pen. According to Martin, it was a fatal diagnosis that finally caused her to quit. “By walking directly inside these smoking stores, children are able to purchase cigarettes. “It’s a try to make money.”
“I strongly encourage parents to raise awareness,” I said. This is supposed to serve as a warning to parents that they should never, under any circumstances, allow their children to use electronic cigarettes.
