A single vaping session undermines the sensitivity of the cough reflex, according to a study presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference in Denver.

“Although e-cigarettes have become popular worldwide, very little is known about their effect on the respiratory system. There has been no other research to our knowledge on the effect of e-cigarettes on the sensitivity of the cough reflex,” said lead author Peter Dicpinigaitis, professor of clinical medicine, Albert Einstein college of medicine and Montefiore medical center, New York.

Having previously shown that chronic cigarette smokers have reduced cough reflex sensitivity, Dr Dicpinigaitis and his colleagues measured cough reflex sensitivity using capsaicin in 30 healthy adult lifetime non-smokers at baseline as well as 15 minutes and 24 hours after 30 puffs of an e-cigarette. The vaping provided 1.5mg to 1.8mg of nicotine, equivalent to about one cigarette. Vaping significantly reduced cough reflex sensitivity compared to baseline.

However, 24 hours later, the cough reflex’s sensitivity had returned to baseline. “We still need to understand the clinical significance of this effect and investigate the consequences of chronic e-cigarette exposure,” says Dr Dicpinigaitis.

 

E-cigs may desensitise cough