This everyday habit is destroying her body—are you at risk too? Millions of Americans do this without knowing the danger
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Imagine waking up one morning, gasping for air, your heart pounding as you realize you can’t catch your breath.
For Loyda Cordero Galiero, a 39-year-old mother from Franklin, New York, this nightmare became her reality.
The culprit? A habit she thought was a healthier choice—one shared by millions of Americans. If you or someone you love has ever reached for an e-cigarette thinking it was the “safer” alternative to smoking, Loyda’s story is a wake-up call you can’t afford to ignore.
The Hidden Dangers of Vaping: Loyda’s Story
Loyda was a lifelong smoker who, like many, wanted to make a positive change.
She quit cigarettes and switched to vaping, believing she was making a healthier choice. But within a year, her health took a terrifying turn.
She suddenly found herself unable to breathe, feeling as if she was suffocating.
Rushed to the hospital, doctors delivered devastating news: her lungs were failing, and she could die at any moment.
Her diagnosis? Severe lung damage caused by vaping.
Loyda’s lungs were so inflamed and filled with fluid that even the simple act of lying down could have been fatal.
She was forced to sleep upright in a recliner, unable to exercise, cook, or even carry groceries for fear of rupturing fragile air sacs in her lungs.
“I was so proud when I made the switch from smoking to vaping,” Loyda recalls. “But no one warned me about the risks. Vaping is 100 percent more dangerous than cigarettes.”
Also read: This everyday injury turned into a medical nightmare—don’t ignore the warning signs
What’s Really Happening Inside Your Lungs?
Our lungs are made up of millions of tiny balloon-like structures called alveoli, or air sacs. These are responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide—essential for every breath we take.
When these sacs are damaged, as can happen with severe inflammation or pressure changes from vaping, it can lead to bleeding, fluid buildup, and a dangerous loss of lung function.
Loyda’s doctors diagnosed her with pulmonary bullae—large, air-filled spaces in the lungs that develop when lung tissue is destroyed.
One of these bullae ruptured, causing her lung to collapse and putting her life at risk.
Why Vaping Isn’t the “Safe” Alternative
Many people believe vaping is a healthier option than smoking because it doesn’t involve burning tobacco, which produces many of the most harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. But the truth is more complicated.
The Alarming Numbers
16.7 million Americans vape—that’s about 6.5% of US adults, according to the CDC.
Meanwhile, 2,800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths were linked to vaping-related lung injuries in just one year (2019-2020). Experts believe the real numbers are now even higher.
Also, only 34 tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-cigarette devices have been authorized by the FDA after rigorous review. No fruity or sweet-flavored vapes are approved.
Source: Insider Science / Youtube.
What Are the Symptoms of Vaping-Related Lung Injury?
If you or someone you know vapes, watch for these warning signs:
Doctors agree: the healthiest option is to avoid both cigarettes and vapes. If you’re struggling to quit, you’re not alone—there are resources and support available.
Read next: This 36-year-old mom’s “crazy” feelings turned out to be cancer—are you ignoring these common signs?
Have you or someone you know been affected by vaping or smoking? What helped you quit, or what questions do you have about lung health? Share your story in the comments below!
For Loyda Cordero Galiero, a 39-year-old mother from Franklin, New York, this nightmare became her reality.
The culprit? A habit she thought was a healthier choice—one shared by millions of Americans. If you or someone you love has ever reached for an e-cigarette thinking it was the “safer” alternative to smoking, Loyda’s story is a wake-up call you can’t afford to ignore.
The Hidden Dangers of Vaping: Loyda’s Story
Loyda was a lifelong smoker who, like many, wanted to make a positive change.
She quit cigarettes and switched to vaping, believing she was making a healthier choice. But within a year, her health took a terrifying turn.
She suddenly found herself unable to breathe, feeling as if she was suffocating.
Rushed to the hospital, doctors delivered devastating news: her lungs were failing, and she could die at any moment.
A woman from New York suffered severe lung damage and organ failure after switching from smoking to vaping, believing it was a healthier choice. Image source: Chiara Summer / Unsplash.
Her diagnosis? Severe lung damage caused by vaping.
Loyda’s lungs were so inflamed and filled with fluid that even the simple act of lying down could have been fatal.
She was forced to sleep upright in a recliner, unable to exercise, cook, or even carry groceries for fear of rupturing fragile air sacs in her lungs.
“I was so proud when I made the switch from smoking to vaping,” Loyda recalls. “But no one warned me about the risks. Vaping is 100 percent more dangerous than cigarettes.”
Also read: This everyday injury turned into a medical nightmare—don’t ignore the warning signs
What’s Really Happening Inside Your Lungs?
Our lungs are made up of millions of tiny balloon-like structures called alveoli, or air sacs. These are responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide—essential for every breath we take.
When these sacs are damaged, as can happen with severe inflammation or pressure changes from vaping, it can lead to bleeding, fluid buildup, and a dangerous loss of lung function.
Loyda’s doctors diagnosed her with pulmonary bullae—large, air-filled spaces in the lungs that develop when lung tissue is destroyed.
One of these bullae ruptured, causing her lung to collapse and putting her life at risk.
Doctors diagnosed her with pulmonary bullae—large air-filled spaces that formed in her lungs—which put her life at risk and led to emergency surgery. Image source: E-Liquids UK / Unsplash.
Why Vaping Isn’t the “Safe” Alternative
Many people believe vaping is a healthier option than smoking because it doesn’t involve burning tobacco, which produces many of the most harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. But the truth is more complicated.
- Chemical Exposure: E-cigarette vapor contains substances like propylene glycol (a petroleum byproduct), flavorings, and other chemicals that can inflame and damage the lungs.
- Unregulated Products: Many vapes sold in the US are not FDA-approved and may be imported from overseas with little oversight. These products can contain unknown or dangerous additives.
- Overuse: Unlike cigarettes, which have a natural stopping point, vapes are often used continuously throughout the day. As Loyda put it, “With a vape, it’s like a cell phone—it’s literally stuck in your hand 24/7.”
The Alarming Numbers
16.7 million Americans vape—that’s about 6.5% of US adults, according to the CDC.
Meanwhile, 2,800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths were linked to vaping-related lung injuries in just one year (2019-2020). Experts believe the real numbers are now even higher.
Also, only 34 tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-cigarette devices have been authorized by the FDA after rigorous review. No fruity or sweet-flavored vapes are approved.
Source: Insider Science / Youtube.
What Are the Symptoms of Vaping-Related Lung Injury?
If you or someone you know vapes, watch for these warning signs:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Fever
Doctors agree: the healthiest option is to avoid both cigarettes and vapes. If you’re struggling to quit, you’re not alone—there are resources and support available.
- Vaping and Quitting | Smoking and Tobacco Use - CDC
- Quit Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Use
- Quit Smoking & Vaping
- EX PROGRAM: QUIT SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Read next: This 36-year-old mom’s “crazy” feelings turned out to be cancer—are you ignoring these common signs?
Have you or someone you know been affected by vaping or smoking? What helped you quit, or what questions do you have about lung health? Share your story in the comments below!
