A young man shared his harrowing experience of collapsing in a shopping center due to a collapsed lung, attributing it to his nearly decade-long vaping habit. Raymond Dehn, 24, had been vaping since he was 15, obtaining vaping devices without age verification from a local store. The incident occurred while he was out for a meal with his girlfriend, feeling sudden intense pain between his shoulder blades.
The pain escalated, causing him to lose consciousness in the shopping center, leading to his hospitalization. Doctors diagnosed him with a spontaneous pneumothorax, a condition they are increasingly observing in young individuals who vape. Reflecting on the ordeal, Raymond, a salesman from Buffalo, New York, emphasized the terror and excruciating pain he endured, emphasizing that his vaping habit was the likely cause of his health scare.
Expressing relief at his ongoing recovery, Raymond highlighted the necessity of abandoning vaping to safeguard health, urging fellow young individuals to follow suit. Despite not having a history of cigarette addiction, Raymond transitioned to vaping during his teenage years due to its discreet nature. He noted the ease of access to vaping products through acquaintances and the allure of concealment it offered compared to traditional smoking.
As vaping became a routine for Raymond, he also ventured into using THC pens in recent times. On the day of the incident, after a work shift, he experienced intense pain following vaping, leading to his collapse in the mall and subsequent hospitalization. Medical staff conducted tests revealing his collapsed lung, a revelation that shocked Raymond given his age and overall good health. Notably, the doctor mentioned similar cases of spontaneous pneumothorax among young vapers.
Following a four-night hospital stay with a chest tube to aid lung reinflation, Raymond faced physical and mental challenges, including persistent fear of a relapse. His advocacy now focuses on raising awareness among youth about the potential risks of vaping, emphasizing his shift to nicotine pouches and edibles as alternatives. The experience serves as a pivotal moment for Raymond, prompting a serious reevaluation of his lifestyle choices.
Raymond’s cautionary tale underscores the importance of prioritizing health and making informed decisions, especially among young individuals tempted by the allure of vaping.