Breath-holding in a marijuana smoker

Breath-holding in a marijuana smoker

It is vital to ask about illicit drug smoking in the respiratory history as marijuana smoking augments the detrimental effects of tobacco. We describe the case of a 28 year old marijuana smoker who developed a pneumothorax during a breath-holding competition. Pneumothorax is a common clinical entity that every physician should be aware of how to manage and lifetime risk is considerably increase...

Necrotizing pulmonary granulomata in a marijuana smoker.

We describe the case of a heavy marijuana and tobacco smoker who presented with progressive exertional dyspnea of 2 months' duration, and bilateral nodular lung infiltrates. Examination of the lung fields was normal, and lung function tests showed mild airflow obstruction with moderately reduced gas transfer. BAL returned green-black fluid consisting predominantly of macrophages laden with carb...

Breath-holding spells in infants.

QUESTION I have children in my clinic who experience seizurelike episodes in which they cry and hold their breath to the point of cyanosis and loss of consciousness. Their examination or investigation findings are normal and referral to a pediatric specialist results in no further investigation. Are breath-holding spells common, and what type of investigation is needed? ANSWER A breath-holdin...

[Severe pulmonary embolism in a young marijuana smoker].

It is a popular belief, that marijuana smoking is not harmful to health. Some publications, however, suggest its possible association with mental, respiratory and cardiovascular complications, but not with venous thromboembolism. The authors describe a case of severe pulmonary embolism in a mildly obese, 22 year-old marijuana and tobacco smoker. After thrombolysis, rapid haemodynamic improvemen...

The limits of breath holding.