There are some important symptoms of ‘popcorn lung’ to look out for as a teenager has developed the incurable condition after vaping.
Brianne Cullen, 17, reportedly began secretly vaping at 14 years old to help with the anxiety of going back to school after lockdown.
She is said to have puffed on a $25 vape she bought each month for three years.
Her mom, Christie Martin, had no idea she’d taken up the habit, but began growing suspicious when she noticed the teen was frequently ill, and believes this was the cause of Brianne’s condition.
One day, Martin from Henderson, Nevada, received a frantic call from her 17-year-old daughter, Brianne, who said she was struggling to breathe.
Terrified, the mother rushed Brianne to the nearest emergency room, where doctors gave her oxygen, ran X-rays, and administered medication.
Brianne was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans—commonly known as “popcorn lung.”
This rare condition damages the lungs’ smallest airways, leading to persistent coughing and shortness of breath, according to WebMD.
The nickname “popcorn lung” originated over a decade ago after workers in a microwave popcorn factory developed the illness from inhaling diacetyl, a buttery-flavored chemical used in foods like popcorn, as explained by the American Lung Association.
Martin recalled, “She went to cheer practice while she was sick—just a cough and sore throat. But she was lifting other kids, tumbling… it’s all physically demanding.”
Then came the terrifying moment. “She suddenly called me saying she couldn’t catch her breath. I could barely understand her—she just kept repeating, ‘I can’t breathe.’ It was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Martin believes the intense physical effort during cheer practice may have actually helped reveal the severity of the issue. “Cheer saved her life. The exertion pushed her already stressed lungs over the edge and made it clear something was very wrong.”
Doctors told Martin they caught the ‘popcorn lung’ early, though the long-term effects remain uncertain.
Common symptoms of the condition include a persistent cough, wheezing, fatigue, and increasing shortness of breath.
Martin recalled, “The doctor came in and said, ‘We need to have a very serious conversation.’
I didn’t expect the news she gave me—that it was ‘popcorn lung,’ a permanent condition, and that children are dying from it.
“We’re lucky they caught it early, thanks to her getting sick and going to cheer practice. It helped us discover it sooner. But we still don’t know if there will be long-term effects.”
At St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nevada, Brianne was prescribed an inhaler to help with her breathing.
Four months later, the teen has quit vaping, and her mom is sharing their story to raise awareness and help prevent others from experiencing the same.
“I’d urge parents to spread awareness and stop shaming moms,” Martin said. “I’ve had so many moms blame me, saying it’s my fault.
“Just because you think your kid isn’t affected, don’t shame other parents. We need to help spread the word.
“They once said cigarettes were healthy, and now we know the truth. But we still don’t know the full truth about vapes. We need to work together to get these things off the market.”
