Meet the Experts

Dr. Michael Hernandez

Critical Care & Pulmonary Medicine Physician with South Miami Hospital

Videos

Vaping And Teenagers

E-cigarettes and vaping are a trend among teens, but it could be dangerous for their health. Michael Hernandez, Critical Care & Pulmonary Medicine Physician at South Miami Hospital, says about 95 % of disciplinary action in highschools is related to vape pens. Vape cigarettes have health side effects, Hernandez recommends to no start vaping, because once you get addicted, it is very difficult to get off nicotine, which is one of the most hard substances to get weaned off.

E-Cigarettes, A Way To Quit Smoking | Health Insiders

E-cigarettes could be seen as a step to start quitting smoking, but Michael Hernandez, Critical Care & Pulmonary Medicine Physician, at South Miami Hospital, says there are no conclusive studies that to reduce the use of conventional cigarettes might help the use of electronic ones. "In regards to cessation, it doesn't quite succeed patients who smoke do smoke less combustible cigarettes when they're smoking e-cigarettes", he explains. Hernandez also highlights it is unclear whether they're ingesting less nicotine or they're less addicted.

Alternatives To Quit Smoking

There are some ways to quit smoking. Michael Hernandez, Critical Care & Pulmonary Medicine Physician at South Miami Hospital, says one of them is medication. He highlights the most evidence in smoking cessation is pharmacologic therapy, such as nicotine replacement therapy with patches, gum and lozengers; bupropion and varenicline. In addition, counselling is very helpful as therapy to quit smoking too.

Diseases Caused By Smoking

Smoking can cause lung cancer, but there are other types of cancer related to smoking traditional cigarettes. Michael Hernandez, Critical Care & Pulmonary Medicine Physician at South Miami Hospital, says there are others cancers associated with tobacco, like head, neck, mouth and esophageal cancer. Smoking is bad for your health and you should avoid it, because it also causes coronary diseases.

E-Cigarettes, A Tobacco Product

E-cigarettes have nicotine derived from tobacco, so they are considered a tobacco product. Michael Hernandez, Critical Care & Pulmonary Medicine Physician, at South Miami Hospital, highlights the recommendations are avoiding the use of e-cigarettes or vaping around pregnant women, people with lung conditions and around kids as well. He says teenagers are using this delivery device and getting heavily addicted on nicotine and it is becoming a gateway to combustible cigarettes.

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