In recent times there has been an increasing use among people who use drugs regularly and also irregularly in heroin. This increasing use led to an increase in the potential for drug addiction. The most common ways of consuming the drug among young adults are smoking and inhalation. Consumption in this way of heroin can lead to the development of severe airway disease in people under 40 years of age.
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In a case report published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine Clinical Cases, researchers described a case of a 35-year-old man with a history of heroin use who developed severe emphysema with multiple bullae. The patient consumed heroin for many years through heroin vaporization. Genetic testing for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency was negative. The patient needed artificial respiration and after two days he was weaned from it.
source:
Neil Gerts, George Ishak, Ian Joel, et al. Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old Man. AIM Clinical Cases.2023;2:e220832. [Epub 21 February 2023]. doi:10.7326/aimcc.2022.0832