Inhalant addiction: Chulalongkorn University lecturer warns of serious health risks

[snoop1130]

 

Frequent use of inhalants, especially to the point of addiction, can pose serious health risks, warns a popular Facebook page, Oh, It’s Like This, by Dr Jatuporn Denpruang, a lecturer in the Department of Biology at Chulalongkorn University. She responded to a query from a page fan asking whether frequent inhaling of these products is harmful or has long-term effects on the body.

 

Dr Jatuporn states that infrequent use of inhalants should pose little to no health risks. However, using these products frequently, excessively, or to the point of dependency could lead to adverse effects on health, particularly the respiratory system.

 

The ingredients in these inhalants can cause irritation to the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as inflammation of the nasal passages and even pneumonia.

 

Inhalants commonly contain menthol, camphor, peppermint, and essential oils extracted from various herbs such as spearmint, wintergreen, or eucalyptus. Camphor and peppermint, when inhaled, can provide a refreshing and cooling sensation in the nasal passages.

 

These inhalants are typically used to alleviate symptoms of colds, and congested noses, and to relieve headaches. However, if used excessively by someone without these symptoms, it can lead to irritation in the respiratory system, resulting in conditions such as inflammation of the nasal passages and even pneumonia.

 

Furthermore, the ingredients in these inhalants can irritate the nervous system as they have the potential to stimulate nerves, leading to a mild form of addiction. Overuse of these inhalants can also result in tarnishing one’s personal image. Sharing inhalants with others poses a risk of infection in the nasal area, especially with inhalants packaged in tubes.

 

By Nattapong Westwood

Caption: Photo: Freepik

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-30

 

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[observer90210]

I also make it a point, not matter the cost to planly discard any eventual inhalant prescribed, once the symptomes and treatment is over. Never stock it for future use.

[SAFETY FIRST]

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

using these products frequently, excessively, or to the point of dependency could lead to adverse effects on health, particularly the respiratory system

I often see Thai's walking around in public with one hanging out of their nose. 

 

In Thailand it's a bodily function, back in Australia they'd put you in an asylum. 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by SAFETY FIRST

[Chelseafan]

Balderdash....next those pesky Thai Doctors willl be telling me that smoking is bad for my health...

 

 

[daveAustin]

Also employed to mask smells. Other than fresh air, putting anything long term into the lungs is not a good idea. Along with the real world and our stunning universe, unfortunately this very basic thing is not impressed upon enough in schools.

[jacko45k]

Used to be that every Thai girl sat at a beer bar had one of these stuck up a nostril. 

[brianthainess]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Overuse of these inhalants can also result in tarnishing one’s personal image.

[brianthainess]

7 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Balderdash....next those pesky Thai Doctors willl be telling me that smoking is bad for my health...

 

 

And to drink more water.

[brianthainess]

Not sure what 'long term' use means here, but since using them maybe twice a day, I don't need to use Oxygen before I sleep, and they clear out all mucus from my body.