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The Dangers of Vaping for Your Health

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Are you vaping instead of smoking because you think it’s healthier? If so, you are not alone. For years, vaping has gained popularity largely due to the assumption that it is safer than smoking. 

However, some studies indicate it can affect your health in many of the same ways as smoking.  It can be particularly dangerous for teens and young adults whose brains may be affected more readily since they are still developing. 

Here we will look at the dangers of vaping for your health and what you can do to seek help for vaping cessation. 

Effects on the Lungs and the EVALI Disease 

Many believe that vaping is safer than smoking because there is no smoke to inhale. However, a vaping device creates an aerosolized spray that you also take into your lungs. With vaping liquid containing nicotine along with a multitude of other chemicals, it is easy to see why this can be problematic for your lungs.  

Since vaping is still a relatively new practice, it has only been within the past few years that medical experts have identified E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-associated Lung Injury (EVALI). With EVALI you can experience a range of symptoms that mimic other illnesses like pneumonia which can make it difficult to diagnose. This can include coughing up blood, abdominal pain, dry cough, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, and more. 

While steroid treatments are effective and most patients make a full recovery, some patients will need oxygen to supplement their laboured breathing. Moreover, those who continue to vape are more likely to relapse. 

Could Vaping Make it Hard to Focus? 

Nicotine in vaping liquid may have long-term or even permanent effects on the brain including issues with focusing, depression, mood disorders, and more. Teens and young adults are particularly vulnerable to these side effects as their brains are still developing. 

These issues are largely due to the addiction that nicotine creates in the brain. When your brain is addicted to a substance, it will affect receptors in your brain responsible for producing dopamine, a chemical that is associated with making you feel good. You can also get this from things like eating foods you enjoy, being around someone you are attracted to, or when you accomplish something like getting a good score on a test. 

The issue with getting dopamine from a drug like nicotine is that a user will suffer from withdrawal when that substance is taken away. This can cause feelings of sadness, inability to concentrate, headaches, and much more. 

More importantly, the more you use, the more you will need to achieve the same effects. Eventually, you will no longer achieve the same effects but still crave the substance while also experiencing the physical harm associated with inhaling vape fume. 

Why is Vaping Particularly Bad for Teens and Young Adults? 

If you are under 25, your brain is still growing and developing. This is what makes it possible to learn and retain new skills much more easily at this age versus later in life. Unfortunately, that same quality will make you more prone to retaining addiction. 

Your brain learns to associate vaping and nicotine with feeling good early on and it will have a difficult time forgetting that. This is why you may be able to logically tell yourself that you do not need to vape when you try to quit, but your brain will not stop demanding what it is craving. It may then struggle to produce dopamine, producing the feeling that you need to smoke in order to feel good.  

Vaping when you are young not only makes it more difficult to quit, it also means you have that many more years to develop other potential problems if you continue. The good news is that the sooner you stop, the more you can reduce your risks now and in the long-term. 

What if I Only Smoke Occasionally? 

Vaping in any capacity can cause addiction to nicotine. Addiction to nicotine is an extremely common issue that can happen to anyone. Often, users who claim to vape casually or infrequently will eventually become regular users. Each individual is different and you may take more or less time to become addicted based on how often you use. While you may evade addiction for a time, the longer you continue, the greater your chances of developing a dependence or other issues. 

Can I Use Vaping to Quit Smoking? 

Vaping to stop smoking is not ideal but, yes, this is what vaping was originally intended for. While there are other methods of smoking cessation that may be healthier, vaping can reduce withdrawal symptoms and make it easier to abstain. However, you should not continue vaping indefinitely. Ideally, you will slowly reduce the amount of nicotine you vape with until you can eliminate it entirely. 

Cost of Vaping 

Along with potentially harmful side effects, vaping can also be expensive. While your total cost will depend on several factors including how much and how often you vape, average users can expect to spend over $800 annually. If you vape more often and use more expensive vape juice, this cost can increase exponentially. 

How Much Could you Save if You Quit Vaping? Assuming you are a moderate user who spends around $15/week on vaping, which is the equivalent of replacing one pack of cigarettes per day with vaping, you will spend $780 annually. A heavy user can easily double this amount. 

An average user who smokes throughout four years at university would spend over $3,000 on vaping while earning their degree. That same $3,000 could be used as a down payment on a car, for several months’ rent, or to pay off any schooling costs. If you have student loans or credit cards with an outstanding balance, that $3,000 becomes even more significant when you consider the interest that you are paying. 

The Greatest Dangers May Still be Unknown

Perhaps the most concerning factor in understanding the dangers of vaping is that the practice has not been around long enough to understand the full effects. While smoking nicotine has been a practice for hundreds of years, vaping has been around for less than 20. 

With smokers, the medical community now knows that some issues may not develop until many decades later. Even a person who quits smoking will still have an elevated risk of certain cancers later in life. This could also prove true for vaping. However, it is important to note that smokers do reduce their risks when they quit. Therefore, quitting is a worthy goal to pursue. 

Seeking Help for Vaping Cessation

While the effects of vaping are concerning, you may be able to reduce or even reverse the damage by quitting. To create an effective plan for quitting, talk to a doctor about what is best for you. 

At BCML, we help our patients manage their total health including vaping and smoking cessation. Our caring and knowledgeable physicians can help you find healthy ways to quit. To schedule a consultation, call BCML at 416-929-1900.

Ontario Health Insurance Plan: How Does it Work?

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Canada is known for having a national healthcare system, but individual provinces also have health insurance and even private insurance. Ontario Health Insurance Plan or OHIP covers most medical care including emergency and preventative care costs. Notable exceptions to its coverage include dental, vision, and chiropractic services. 

For those outside Canada, there is often the misconception that all healthcare is free. Even residents may not know what services OHIP covers or how it is funded. Here we will take a look at how OHIP works, what it covers, eligibility and other important questions many Ontarians have. 

Is the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Really Free?

OHIP is funded by three sources: The Canadian Government, payroll taxes from employees and taxes paid by Ontario-based businesses. While there is no direct “OHIP Tax,” citizens do essentially pay for healthcare to be available.

Though OHIP may not be as socialistic as some might assume, Ontarians still spend less per person on healthcare than in countries like the United States where there is no universal healthcare. 

Also, OHIP’s system allows for a more equitable distribution of healthcare access. This means a sudden job loss or other financial hardship will not prevent a person from getting medical attention the way it might in the U.S. 

Who is Eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan?

Eligibility for OHIP and medical coverage in Ontario is fairly straightforward in most cases. Anyone who is considered a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or who has a valid work permit is eligible to be covered under OHIP.

What about new residents? 

When an individual first moves to Canada, there is typically a 3 month waiting period before their health care can be covered under OHIP. Supplemental insurance can be purchased to cover this gap.

Citizens who move from another province? 

When you move from another province to Ontario, there will also be a 3 month waiting period until you are eligible for OHIP. However, you will still be covered by your previous province’s insurance during this time.

What about travelling workers?

Typically, to be considered a permanent resident, you must live in Ontario for at least 153 days a year. However, if you have a job that requires you to travel more frequently than this you may need to provide proof you are travelling for your job in order to qualify. 

Are refugees covered?

Refugees and protected persons can often get coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program, a temporary kind of insurance. Coverage with IFHP is similar to provincial healthcare. OHIP coverage may become available if an individual goes through the process of becoming a permanent resident. 

What Services Does OHIP Cover? 

OHIP is designed to provide citizens with urgent and preventative care. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, certain dental surgeries and costs associated with childbirth. Below you will find a partial Ohip coverage list with some of the most commonly covered and necessary services. 

It is important to note that some services may not be fully covered or will only be covered if they are deemed medically necessary and/or performed in a hospital.  

  • Hospital stays
  • Doctor visits
  • In-hospital dental surgeries
  • In-hospital surgical abortions
  • Diagnostics including x-rays and blood tests.
  • Eye exams
  • Ambulance transportation
  • Mental health services performed by a medical doctor
  • For a complete OHIP Coverage list, visit Ontario.ca.

What is Not Fully Covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan?

Dental, vision, prescription and physical therapy costs are some of the least covered by OHIP. However, this is not a blanket statement that applies to every service in these categories.

For example, vision tests are covered for anyone under the age of 19 or over the age of 65. Below are some of the services that may not be fully covered by OHIP. 

Dental and Vision

OHIP will cover certain dental surgeries that are performed in a hospital but will not cover basic services like regular cleanings. Plus, while eye exams are covered, eyewear is not. Many people will either get coverage through their employers or purchase supplemental insurance to cover these costs. 

Cosmetic and Chiropractic

Cosmetic surgery and most medically unnecessary surgeries are not covered. Chiropractic services and some physical therapy may also require complete or partial out-of-pocket payment. 

Mental Health

Canada is a country that recognizes the need for mental health services. Also, most of these mental health services are covered. However, the definition of eligible mental health services covered under OHIP is typically narrowed to only include services provided by medical professionals such as psychiatrists. Other alternative therapy forms may not be covered and you should check for costs before proceeding. 

Physiotherapy

Physical therapy is most widely covered for children/teens and elderly persons. It is also covered for persons recovering from specific injuries and illnesses. 

Eligible physiotherapy will be performed in-clinic and your physician will determine how many sessions you should receive. 

Prescriptions

Prescriptions are typically only covered for persons under the age of 25 and for patients during hospital stays. However, the Canadian government does work to keep the cost of prescriptions affordable by negotiating better rates with drug companies when possible. Private insurance can also be purchased to cover more expensive prescriptions. 

Should You Buy Supplemental Health Insurance? 

While citizens have access to many free and low-cost healthcare services, there are still some that are not covered or not fully covered. Similarly, people who are in their 3 month waiting period for coverage or who do not qualify as permanent residents may also need supplemental insurance.

In many cases, employers will offer insurance to cover things like dental, vision, physiotherapy, prescriptions and other services not fully covered by OHIP. You can also purchase supplemental insurance on your own. 

Supplemental insurance can be beneficial if you need regular access to specialists and therapists not covered under OHIP. Private insurance can help to reduce the costs of prescription eyewear, extensive dental work and prescription medications. 

Does Ontario Health Insurance Plan Cover Pandemic Care Costs?

As of now, OHIP does cover care related to COVID-19. The Pandemic has also caused some changes in OHIP eligibility. Most notably, anyone who has applied for the insurance but is still in their 3-month waiting period for coverage can still get their care for COVID-19 covered. 

However, if you have any doubts about your eligibility or coverage it is best to contact OHIP directly. This is especially true now as the Pandemic is continuing to cause changes to policies. 

Need to Find out if OHIP Covers What You Need? 

While OHIP fully or partially covers many types of care, procedures and treatments there are still some areas that may not be clear. 

If you have questions about your health and what OHIP covers for you, BCML physicians are here to help you navigate your coverage. Contact us to schedule a consultation and we will work with you to get you the best care with maximum coverage.  

Hearing Loss and Coronavirus

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Hearing Loss and Coronavirus: Hearing Aids

The COVID-19 pandemic may present additional challenges for those who wear hearing aids. While the virus has changed the world for us all, those with hearing impairment may be presented with extra barriers to wearing protective masks and seeking medical attention.

However, if you know the steps to follow, you can get hearing aids and use them effectively without any safety risks. In this blog, we will discuss how to safely wear your hearing aid during the pandemic and how to prepare for medical emergencies.

Safe Hearing Aid Removal and Insertion 

While touching your ears keeps your hands away from your nose, mouth and eyes where the virus is most likely to enter, there is still a level of risk. Therefore, proper hygiene must be practiced. 

Before removing or inserting your hearing aid, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer should be liberally applied to disinfect your hands. 

Keeping your hearing aid clean is critical. This means diligently following recommended cleaning methods for your hearing aid. Also, you should be mindful of storing your hearing aid in a clean container and not setting it on any surface that could be contaminated with the virus. 

Should I get Cochlear Implants During the Pandemic?

Cochlear implants are beneficial for many with severe hearing loss who cannot be helped effectively with a hearing aid. Though these devices are important and often necessary to improve quality of life, they are considered an elective surgery. Elective surgeries of any kind are not recommended at this time.  

Surgery, even in the best conditions, can increase the chances of infection and other complications. Getting this surgery now presents an unnecessary risk because waiting to get a cochlear implant will not have adverse effects. However, there are two exceptions to this rule.

First, for infants born with hearing loss and those with meningitis. Infants with hearing loss who are born into an environment where their family does not know sign language, have an increased chance of developmental delays because they are not able to get the proper stimulation. In this scenario the benefits of cochlear surgery are likely to outweigh the risks.

Similarly, meningitis presents a situation where timing is critical to cochlear implants. One of the side effects of this viral infection is potential damage to the ear canal including bony growths. Once these growths start to take over it can be difficult or impossible to perform cochlear implant surgery. 

How to Wear a Mask with Hearing Aids

Modern hearing aids are relatively small and discreet but they can still be difficult to wear with a mask that hooks over the ears. The best and easiest solution is to opt for a mask that loops around behind the head versus over your ears. If you are ordering masks and are having difficulty finding this style, look for cloth tie masks. Cloth ties will always be secured behind the head. 

However, if a mask that secures behind the head is not available, there are methods to convert ear loops. Try these tips instead:

Quick Solutions

Those with hair long enough to tie into a bun or ponytail can bring the ear loops back to wrap around the hair instead of around the ears.  A paperclip can also be used as a quick option. Hook the ear loops around the paper clip and bring the connected loops behind your head. 

Crafty Solutions

If you have the time and supplies, you can also craft an ear loop hook with a short piece of fabric and two buttons. A piece of cloth ribbon that is wide enough to sew the buttons to is often the best option. When the buttons are sewn to the ends of the short fabric, you can hook the ear loops on the buttons and bring this back behind your head.

Sewing buttons to a cloth headband is another way to secure the buttons. This option can be a bit more cumbersome as you need to ensure the headband will not slide and dislodge the ear loops.

Note: Any item you use to secure your mask should be cleaned thoroughly. If you are using a paperclip or any other fastening, wash it with soap and water first or disinfect it with hand sanitizer. 

How To Remove your Mask While Wearing Hearing Aids

To avoid accidentally pulling out a hearing aid while wearing a mask, it is important to get used to practicing this with extra caution. If you are only wearing  one hearing aid, it is usually best to remove the mask from that ear first. This will help ensure that you can remove the mask purposely and not have it pull away on its own. 

If you have just gotten a hearing aid, it may also help to remove it while looking in a mirror. This way you can see if the mask’s loops are in danger of pulling the earpiece out. 

Hearing Aid Clips

Another added safety measure is using a clip to secure your hearing aid to your clothing. There are several styles to these but most are simply a small clip attached to a thin cord. 

Communicating with Medical Staff

Seeking timely medical attention is important but there may be more barriers to getting the help you need during the pandemic. Whether you are seeking help for COVID-19 symptoms or other urgent medical matters, people with impaired hearing often have more challenges than most.

This is largely due to the fact that many hospitals and clinics will not have staff members who know sign language. The use of masks will also remove the option of lip reading and muffle voices further. To help overcome this language barrier, deaf patients can advocate for themselves with these steps: 

Bring a Writing Device

A personal, interactive whiteboard is a simple way to communicate with others. A smartphone can also be used but the smaller screen will mean having to be in closer contact with others which is something to avoid. 

Know Your Rights

The Canadian Association of the Deaf provides free resources in line with the rights deaf and hard of hearing persons are entitled to in medical situations. This can include access to a live interpreter or other translation devices. 

Bring a Friend

If possible, bring a friend with you to the hospital. Ideally, choose a person who is not in a high-risk category of being affected by the virus.  Ensure that you both follow safety precautions with masks, hand washing and social distancing.

When to Seek Medical Care 

It is important to note that we all need to use good judgement when choosing to seek medical care at this time. Like with elective surgery, unnecessary doctor visits can increase your chances of contracting and spreading the virus. 

For COVID-19 symptoms, you should seek medical care if you are having difficulty breathing, feel pressure in your chest and/or are feeling disoriented. Difficulty concentrating may be a sign that you are not getting enough oxygen to the brain. 

Unless you are experiencing an emergency, it is best to call your doctor instead of going into a clinic or hospital. In our continued efforts to provide quality medical care in a safe environment, BCML is offering convenient telehealth appointments for those with hearing related issues.

Our caring and knowledgeable staff will meet with you through a scheduled video chat to discuss any health concerns you may have – just as we would with an in-office visit. To get started, contact us at 416-929-1900 today!