E-cigarettes
E-Cigarettes and What We Don’t Know
By definition e-cigarettes are battery operated devices. A liquid chemical is placed within the device, which converts the chemical to a vapor that can be inhaled, much like the traditional cigarette. The chemical usually contains nicotine, a highly addictive chemical. The health risks with long term use of e-cigarettes are not known.
Conventional tobacco products are known to lead to oral cancer and gum disease. The physiology of this process is that the nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes affect the artery walls throughout the body. This leads to constriction of the blood vessels and potential death to cells that comprise our body’s organs and tissues. Nicotine contributes to dry mouth syndrome and gum disease.
With time, more information of effects of this relatively new social habit will shine light on the potential health risks.
