Coughing up mucus is a common concern for individuals who vape. Mucus serves a natural and important role in the respiratory system, acting as a protective layer that traps inhaled particles, pathogens, and irritants. It also helps to keep the airways moist. The body’s natural defense mechanisms then work to clear this mucus from the lungs and airways.
The Body’s Response to Vaping
When vapor is inhaled, it can irritate the airways, prompting the respiratory system to increase mucus production as a protective response. This irritation can lead to a cough, which is the body’s way of attempting to expel the excess mucus and foreign substances.
Vapor can also disrupt the function of cilia, tiny, hair-like structures lining the airways. Cilia are responsible for moving mucus and trapped particles upwards and out of the lungs, a process known as mucociliary clearance. Vaping, particularly with nicotine, can impair this clearance by decreasing ciliary beat frequency and making mucus thicker and stickier. This impairment leads to mucus buildup, making clearance harder and increasing the likelihood of a persistent cough.
Beyond direct irritation and ciliary dysfunction, vaping can also induce airway inflammation. This inflammatory response further contributes to increased mucus production and can exacerbate respiratory symptoms. Even nicotine-free e-cigarette vapor has been shown to increase inflammation and mucin production in human airway cells. This combination of irritation, impaired clearance, and inflammation often leads to coughing up mucus for vapers.
Vape Ingredients and Their Impact
Specific components within vape liquids can contribute to respiratory irritation and increased mucus production. Propylene glycol (PG), a common base ingredient, is an irritant. PG is hygroscopic, drawing moisture from its surroundings, which can lead to dryness in the throat and airways and contribute to coughing. Some individuals may have a sensitivity to PG, experiencing throat irritation, cough, or sinus issues.
Vegetable glycerin (VG), another base ingredient, has hygroscopic properties, causing dryness and irritation in the airways. VG aerosols can increase mucus concentrations and contribute to airway inflammation. This can result in thicker bronchial secretions, prompting the body to clear them.
Nicotine in vape liquids further impairs mucus clearance. It can dehydrate airway fluid, making mucus more viscous and impeding cilia. Nicotine also promotes mucin production, contributing to its buildup.
Flavorings in vape liquids also cause respiratory irritation. These chemicals can damage cilia and trigger lung inflammation. Certain flavorings, such as diacetyl, have been linked to serious lung conditions like “popcorn lung,” causing severe coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Flavors like cinnamon and menthol can have detrimental effects on the airways.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
While some degree of coughing and mucus production might be experienced by vapers due to airway irritation, certain symptoms warrant medical attention. Consult a healthcare professional if coughing persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other concerning signs. These include severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood.
Other red flag symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can indicate a more serious underlying condition, such as e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), often presenting with cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Discussing vaping habits with a doctor allows for accurate assessment and guidance.