The health swap I thought would save me but instead put me into a coma with ‘crispy’ lungs that tore when I breathed
A 49-year-old Arizona woman experienced a life-threatening health crisis after switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, highlighting the potential dangers of vaping. Kara Mullins nearly died when she developed severe lung damage, described by doctors as becoming “crispy” and tearing, after contracting the flu.
The Path to Crisis
Mullins began smoking at age 16 and continued for nearly three decades. Believing vaping to be a healthier alternative, she switched to e-cigarettes four years ago, consuming roughly one pod every two days. In December, she contracted the flu from her eight-year-old son, and her condition rapidly deteriorated, progressing from shortness of breath to severe gasping for air by the end of the month.
A Fight for Her Life
Rushed to the emergency room by her husband, Bear Boykin, Mullins has no recollection of the subsequent events. She was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU), placed on a ventilator, and then flown to a larger hospital in Phoenix. Doctors placed her in a medically induced coma for a week while they worked to stabilize her condition.
Doctors determined that while the flu caused initial inflammation in Mullins’ lungs, the residue from years of vaping had compromised their integrity, making them fragile and prone to tearing when attempting to expand with each breath. As Mullins’ husband was told, the oils in vapes leave a residue that “puts a residue on your lungs and makes them crispy,” contributing to the damage.
Long-Term Implications and Recovery
Mullins now faces the possibility of permanent lung damage, including significant scar tissue. While she was released from the hospital on January 12th and no longer requires supplemental oxygen, she continues to struggle with physical activity. She experiences pain with deep breaths and reports ongoing brain fog and memory issues following her week-long coma.
Mullins has completely stopped vaping and is now advocating for others, especially young people, to avoid the habit. She emphasizes the potential for severe and lasting consequences, stating, “I just want people to know that vaping could permanently damage them, if not even kill them. Value yourself more than that.”
Broader Concerns About Vaping
The case comes amid growing concerns about the health effects of vaping. While vaping was initially seen as a safer alternative to smoking – which causes nine in ten cases of lung cancer – research is increasingly linking vaping to other health problems, including high blood pressure and stroke. A recent case detailed in a medical journal involved a New Jersey man who died of aggressive lung cancer, believed to be the first documented case directly caused by e-cigarettes.
Vapes work by heating a liquid containing nicotine, flavorings, and toxic chemicals, creating an aerosol inhaled into the lungs. This vapor delivers harmful substances like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds, which can damage lung tissue and increase the risk of cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Kara Mullins’ lungs to tear?
Doctors determined that the flu caused inflammation in Mullins’ lungs, but the residue from her years of vaping made them fragile and prone to tearing when attempting to expand with each breath.
How many adults in the US vape regularly?
Approximately 6 percent of US adults, about 17 million people, reported vaping regularly as of 2024.
What substances are found in vape aerosol?
Vape aerosol contains nicotine, flavorings, and a mixture of toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds known to cause cancer.
What are your thoughts on the evolving understanding of the risks associated with vaping?