E-Cigarettes: The Silent Threat That Damages Brain Blood Vessels Prematurely
Many people believe that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, but this case proves that the “damage caused by e-cigarettes” can leave a 27-year-old on the verge of permanent paralysis.
Case Example: A 27-Year-Old Man at Risk of Paralysis from E-Cigarettes
A 27-year-old male patient experienced weakness in his left arm and leg for about 5 minutes before returning to normal. This condition is known as TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), or a “mini-stroke.”
Although the symptoms resolved on their own, this is considered an important warning sign of stroke.
Further examination of the brain’s blood vessels revealed severe narrowing of the major artery supplying the right side of the brain, which was close to complete blockage. The main risk factor in this patient was e-cigarette use starting at the age of 20.
TIA is a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. Symptoms often resolve on their own within minutes or hours, but it should be taken as a warning sign that if a brain vessel becomes truly blocked, permanent paralysis may occur.
What Causes Stroke?
It can be compared to a water pipe where the flow is blocked, and this usually happens for 2 main reasons:
1. The pipe bursts → hemorrhagic stroke
2. The pipe becomes blocked → narrowed or obstructed brain vessels
Blood clots that block the brain may come from 3 major sources:
An irregular heartbeat causing clots to travel to the brain
Plaque in the carotid arteries
Narrowing of brain vessels caused by chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
In this case, the main cause was e-cigarettes.
Treatment Approach
This patient was treated by:
Stopping smoking immediately
Taking antiplatelet medication
Taking medication to help restore vascular health
Doing cardio exercise to improve blood vessel flexibility
After about 1 year of treatment, the blood vessels can be reassessed. If improvement is seen, medication may be reduced or discontinued.
E-Cigarettes Are More Dangerous Than You Think
Currently, around 1.6 million Thai people use e-cigarettes, and more than 90% are under the age of 40.
What is especially concerning is that many users are under the age of 20. Even at a young age, this behavior can significantly increase the risk of stroke.