A young man from Buffalo, USA, has issued a serious warning after suffering a collapsed lung, which he attributes to nearly a decade of vaping. Beginning the habit at just 15, Raymond Dehn says he regularly used both nicotine and THC vape pens. After nearly nine years, he experienced severe pain and passed out, prompting emergency hospitalization.

Dehn recalls vaping in his car after work when he felt an intense pain between his shoulder blades. He initially tried to ignore it, but the pain rapidly worsened. Moments later, while walking through a mall, he lost consciousness. At the hospital, doctors discovered that one of his lungs had collapsed, a condition medically known as pneumothorax.

Though the exact cause of the lung collapse couldn’t be confirmed, Dehn says medical staff noted that several other young patients with similar issues had also reported frequent vaping. This led him to believe the habit played a major role in his health scare. He spent four nights in the hospital and had a chest tube inserted to reinflate the lung.

Now recovering, Dehn has quit vaping entirely and is urging others—especially young people—to consider the risks. He admits he lives in fear of the problem recurring and feels strongly about raising awareness to prevent others from experiencing the same ordeal.

Separately, leg swelling, or peripheral edema, is a condition that may signal deeper health issues. It can be caused by prolonged inactivity, heart or kidney conditions, blood clots, or medication side effects. Symptoms include puffiness, heaviness, and difficulty walking.

Managing swelling includes lifestyle changes like reducing salt intake, elevating legs, wearing compression socks, and staying active. Medical treatments vary based on the cause and may involve diuretics, therapy, or treatment of underlying conditions. Persistent swelling should prompt a medical evaluation.