Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old Man

Recently, heroin has become more easily accessible, which has led to an increase in its tolerance, addiction, and misuse potential. According to several reports, among many modes of use, smoking and inhaling heroin are the most common methods of its misuse among young adults. As a result, many users...

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Main Authors: Neil Gerts, George Ishak, Ian Joel, Jasprit Takher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American College of Physicians 2023-02-01
Series:Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
Online Access:https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2022.0832
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author Neil Gerts
George Ishak
Ian Joel
Jasprit Takher
author_facet Neil Gerts
George Ishak
Ian Joel
Jasprit Takher
author_sort Neil Gerts
collection DOAJ
description Recently, heroin has become more easily accessible, which has led to an increase in its tolerance, addiction, and misuse potential. According to several reports, among many modes of use, smoking and inhaling heroin are the most common methods of its misuse among young adults. As a result, many users younger than age 40 years are now presenting with severe airway disease. In this case report, a 35-year-old man with a history of heroin use subsequently had severe emphysema with numerous bullae. The patient reported a long-standing history of inhaling heroin vapor. A genetic work-up for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was negative. Here, we raise the concern of heroin-induced bullous emphysema.
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series Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
spelling doaj-art-b81536ceea504bb5980fb5cdba2931462025-08-20T03:18:45ZengAmerican College of PhysiciansAnnals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases2767-76642023-02-012210.7326/aimcc.2022.0832Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old ManNeil Gerts0George Ishak1Ian Joel2Jasprit Takher31HCA Health Care, Los Robles Regional Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Thousand Oaks, California1HCA Health Care, Los Robles Regional Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Thousand Oaks, California1HCA Health Care, Los Robles Regional Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Thousand Oaks, California1HCA Health Care, Los Robles Regional Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaRecently, heroin has become more easily accessible, which has led to an increase in its tolerance, addiction, and misuse potential. According to several reports, among many modes of use, smoking and inhaling heroin are the most common methods of its misuse among young adults. As a result, many users younger than age 40 years are now presenting with severe airway disease. In this case report, a 35-year-old man with a history of heroin use subsequently had severe emphysema with numerous bullae. The patient reported a long-standing history of inhaling heroin vapor. A genetic work-up for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was negative. Here, we raise the concern of heroin-induced bullous emphysema.https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2022.0832
spellingShingle Neil Gerts
George Ishak
Ian Joel
Jasprit Takher
Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old Man
Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases
title Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old Man
title_full Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old Man
title_fullStr Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old Man
title_full_unstemmed Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old Man
title_short Lungs of a Chronic Smoker: The Case of Heroin-Induced Emphysema in a 35-Year-Old Man
title_sort lungs of a chronic smoker the case of heroin induced emphysema in a 35 year old man
url https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2022.0832
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