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Many people may experience coughing when they vape. Coughing when using a vape pen is especially common among new disposable vape users, as they are not very familiar with the technique yet. But what particularly happens when you vape, and what might cause you to cough? Let’s take a look at the most common causes of a vaping cough and possible solutions to this problem one by one.
When you start vaping, you breathe in an aerosolized liquid, commonly referred to as vapor. Vapor is created by heating a substance known as e-liquid or vape juice. When heated, it turns into a fine mist that can be inhaled.
If you use e-liquid with nicotine, it quickly enters the bloodstream and provides effects similar to those of smoking traditional cigarettes. That’s why vaping is such a good way to stop smoking for good. When you smoke a cigarette, you consume more harmful chemicals linked to more severe diseases like cancer that e-cigarettes don’t include, so vaping isn’t as harmful. For instance, you can choose a nicotine-free liquid. Yet, disposable vapes can still lead to sore throat and coughing.
Cough is a bothersome and common side effect of vaping; however, it’s usually harmless and temporary. Research shows that about 57% of first-time e-cigarette users experienced coughing when they first started. Fortunately, after just around ten days of use, the cough disappears, as the body adapts and you get used to vaping.
But why do new vapers cough? Vaping may cause coughing because inhaling vaporized e-liquids irritates your respiratory system, particularly the throat and lungs. This irritation leads to inflammation. A reflexive cough appears, as the body attempts to clear out bothering foreign substances.
Several factors can result in coughing when vaping. Let’s try to explain why you cough and know more about what happens with your throat from vaping. Here are the most frequent cases:
If you’re vaping for the first time or transitioning from traditional smoking, your body needs time to adjust to the fresh sensation. The reasons for coughing while vaping are often due to this adaptation period. The coughing and throat irritation typically vanish on their own after a short time period as you get used to vaping.
For those transitioning from smoking to vaping, years of smoking traditional cigarettes may have damaged their lungs. Cilia, the tiny hair-like structures around lungs responsible for clearing mucus and producing phlegm, often become impaired by smoking. They need time to recover, and due to their temporary dysfunction smokers cough and experience a dry throat. That’s why you still cough even when you’ve already turned to vaping. Over time, as cilia heal, the coughing should disappear.
E-liquids are generally composed with two ingredients: Propylene Glycol we just call PG and Vegetable Glycerine, VG in short, but their ratios vary between products. PG tends to irritate the throat more, particularly when combined with high nicotine concentrations. Besides, some people might cough from PG sensitivities. The solution could be switching to an e-liquid with a lower PG content or even one without PG at all.
Conversely, VG is kinder to the throat and less likely to irritate it. So, choosing an e-liquid with a higher VG content may reduce coughing.
Additionally, some particular flavors like citrus, cinnamon, or menthol also make you cough. Try switching to tobacco or bakery flavors, as they are deemed less irritating for your respiratory system.
In some cases, a cough might indicate an allergic reaction to specific ingredients in your vaping device. If you find that possible, consult a doctor and check the components of your e-liquid.
Nicotine salts’ strength varies across vape juices, and you might vape one which is unsuitable for you. Higher nicotine levels can affect your throat, particularly if you’re vaping for the first time and not used to inhaling nicotine. Lower nicotine strength may help. Search for your own balance using less-intense e-liquid, or even going for a nicotine-free one. With time, you may raise nicotine concentration if desired.
Your pod itself may occasionally be the source of your vape cough. Various vape mods, such as sub-ohm devices, which heat faster and generate more vapor, are generally harder on the throat than devices with standard resistance levels. Try a vape that produces less mist.
Regarding vape settings, higher wattage makes your vape coil become hotter and creates larger amounts of vapor – sometimes that’s more than your lungs can handle. To acquire the right amount of vapor for your lungs, turn down the power or use a higher-resistance vape pen.
Readjusting the airflow settings on your vape kit can also work out. High airflow provides cooler vapor, while low airflow creates smaller, hotter clouds. Experimenting with these settings can help you find the balance that suits you best and enjoy your vaping experience.
Due to all the mentioned reasons, vaping may cause coughing, but some negotiable changes can decrease coughing.
You now know all the things that can trigger a cough when vaping and what should be done to avoid negative consequences. Yet, there are some additional tips to help reduce vape coughing episodes.
If you’re new to vaping, take it slow, control how you vape. Do not take long, deep inhales right away. Start with short puffs and see how your throat reacts. Practice gradually, try vaping in a way that feels natural for you. Experienced vapers can usually take longer draws without coughing or any throat irritation.
But even when you’re completely used to vapor, do not use your vape pen all day long. Follow the same rules. Both vaping too much or too quickly and taking in too much vapor at once still can overwhelm the respiratory system and trigger coughing.
Vapor is dry just like cigarette smoke, so both vaping and smoking can make you thirsty and cause a mild dehydration. Staying hydrated helps you not only eliminate coughing but also stay healthy in general. Drink more water while vaping to help prevent a dry throat or dry mouth, so your throat is always moist and resistant to vaping cough.
There are two ways of vaping. A vaper chooses his way due to personal goals and preferable vape mod. Inappropriate technique though has a high potential to make you cough.
One popular technique is direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping. How is this technique performed? The user doesn’t hold vapor in the mouth, but inhales it directly into their lungs. This technique is typically used with previously mentioned sub-ohm tanks or just higher-wattage devices. It's cool for tricks since it creates more vapor, has a smoother throat hit, and requires less nicotine.
Besides, there is mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping. A vaper inhales vapor into the mouth first, holds it for a moment, and then inhales it into the lungs. This method is very similar to traditional smoking, so it is ideal for switching from smoking to vaping. This technique takes higher-resistance coils, lower-wattage devices, and higher-nicotine e-liquids. Throat hit is more concentrated and the airflow is perfectly controlled.
Each technique can be suitable. Try one way of vaping first, and if you do not succeed, switch to another vaping technique. But remember that you should use an appropriate vape starter kit for your experiments!
Chain vaping – taking continuous puffs without breaks – irritates your throat and increases coughing when you vape. Give your throat more time to recover by taking breaks between draws and puffs. Frequent breaks during your vaping sessions will reduce irritation and help you improve your vaping experience.
Some people might cough from vaping on an empty stomach. Irritation and coughing can be lessened or completely avoided by eating something before vaping. Therefore, don't miss your meals!
Vape coughing is quite common and usually completely safe. However, there are situations when you should seek medical help:
While vaping causes less negative impact than smoking, it still involves consuming nicotine, and that may have side effects. Please, take care of your health, pay attention to these symptoms and how you feel, and consult a physician on time.
Now that you know all about the reasons why vaping can cause coughing and how to address the problem so you don’t cough anymore. Let us then make a short summary of all the information above. You can follow this check-list while getting over your vaping cough.
Sometimes the disappearance of coughing is just a matter of time. Beginner vapers or former heavy smokers can confront vaping cough quite often, but it’s basically going to stop itself. Be patient: healing of cilia after quitting smoking only requires time.
Do not rush into vaping – get used to it smoothly. And don’t forget to take care of yourself and be attentive to your own health.
Following the rules in this article, you will definitely be able to detect the reason for your cough, find the perfect settings balance, reduce annoying cough and completely stop it over time.
Stay tuned and read more vaping news on our website. Good luck & happy vaping without coughing!