Vaping FAQs

does vaping cause multiple sclerosis

by Heaven Botsford Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Studies show nicotine in cigarettes doesn't to be seem responsible for the increased risk of MS. Some studies show vapour from e-cigarettes with no nicotine still caused damage to cells, including cells that protect the brain. Damage to these cells is something you see in MS.

Vaping, e-cigarettes and MS
Studies show nicotine in cigarettes doesn't to be seem responsible for the increased risk of MS. Some studies show vapour from e-cigarettes with no nicotine still caused damage to cells, including cells that protect the brain. Damage to these cells is something you see in MS.
Jun 22, 2022

Full Answer

Can you get multiple sclerosis from smoking?

A: Studies have shown that smokers get more autoimmune conditions, and MS is an autoimmune condition. In one meta-analysis it was found that the risk of MS was increased by approximately 50% in “ever smokers”. There is no data on whether quitting smoking reduces the risk of getting MS in “ever smokers”.

How does smoking increase risk of multiple sclerosis?

Smoking and secondhand smoke change the immune system in more than one way. They may: Interfere with your immunity, making you more prone to infections. Increase the risk of becoming sick after exposure to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that may contribute to MS.

Should I vape if I have MS?

Some studies show vapour from e-cigarettes with no nicotine still caused damage to cells, including cells that protect the brain. Damage to these cells is something you see in MS. More research needs to be done, but evidence so far suggests vaping isn't a good alternative to smoking for people with MS.

How can you get multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves. It's not clear why this happens but it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Does smoking cause demyelination?

Cigarette smoking triggers lung irritation, which in turn causes inflammation that can progress to the autoimmunity driving central nervous system (CNS) demyelination in MS, researchers note, particularly among those who are genetically susceptible.

Who is at risk for multiple sclerosis?

A variety of viruses have been linked to MS , including Epstein-Barr, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis. Race. White people, particularly those of Northern European descent, are at highest risk of developing MS . People of Asian, African or Native American descent have the lowest risk.

Does smoking cause lesions on the brain?

Smoking is associated with increased blood–brain barrier disruption, higher lesion volumes, and greater atrophy in multiple sclerosis.

How does vitamin D affect multiple sclerosis?

Research over the years has shown that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D may have a protective effect and lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). A number of studies have shown that people who get more sun exposure and vitamin D in their diet have a lower risk of MS .

Why is smoking bad for MS?

Smoking has been associated with the delay in the diagnosis of MS due to a few reasons; not seeking medical care, seeing multiple medical providers for other medical conditions and symptoms being “masked” by other medical conditions. Smokers have worsening disease progression.

Why is smoking associated with MS?

Smoking has been associated with the delay in the diagnosis of MS due to a few reasons; not seeking medical care, seeing multiple medical providers for other medical conditions and symptoms being “masked” by other medical conditions.

What should clinicians do if a tobacco user is unwilling to make a quit attempt?

If a tobacco user currently is unwilling to make a quit attempt, clinicians should use the motivational treatments shown to increase rate of future quit attempts.

Does behavioral medicine help smokers?

There is evidence supporting that adequate treatment of depression and anxiety can help smokers quit. Behavioral medicine can help in several ways including addressing co-occurring mental health concerns, increasing individuals ‘motivation and self-efficacy, identifying goals based on stage of change, applying behavioral principles such as self-monitoring and identifying trigger situations, and relapse prevention. Given the relationship between mental health concerns and smoking, it is important to address both when they co-occur to maximize the likelihood of treatment success.

Does smoking stop progression of MS?

A: Yes, MS patients can have less disease progression after they stop smoking. Decreasing tobacco use in MS should reduce health-care needs and subsequently costs and improve quality of life. Continued smoking, once the MS diagnosis is established, is associated with the acceleration in time to secondary progressive MS. Those patients that quit smoking have less disability.

Does smoking increase the risk of MS?

A: Yes, MS patients have higher levels of comorbidities at the time of MS diagnosis. One of the comorbidities seen most commonly in MS patients is chronic lung disease. Smoking increases the risk of chronic lung diseases.

Does smoking cause MS?

Smoking is common in patients with Multiple sclerosis. It has general negative health effects, but in addition has been shown to have direct links to MS disease activity. At the Mellen Center we focus on guiding and assisting patients with smoking cessation as part of their comprehensive health management. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of compounds, many of which have direct toxicity to oligodendroglia and neurons, or influence immune function. People that have ever smoked (smoked or passive smoke exposure at any time of their life) are at higher risk of MS than those that have never smoked. There is not as much information on vapor cigarettes and their effects on MS.

What are the health problems that smokers face?

More generally, smokers are at risk of heart disease, cancers, strokes and lung conditions that cause serious breathing problems .

Which DMTs are less effective in stopping relapses in people who smoke?

Studies have shown that at least two DMTs are less effective in stopping relapses in people who smoke. These are the beta-interferon treatments ( Avonex, Rebif, Plegridy, Betaferon and Extavia) and natizilumab (Tysabri).

Is vaping better than smoking?

Many people find vaping helps them quit smoking and it may be better for your general health than smoking tobacco.

Does smoking make MS worse?

The evidence is clearer than ever: smoking can make your MS worse. It can speed up how fast you become disabled. It can also mean more and bigger lesions and more relapses. You won’t feel it with each cigarette, but the damage is happening inside your brain.

Can you smoke cannabis if you have MS?

That’s why we’ve been campaigning for cannabis to be legalised for medicinal use. But because of the risk from smoking, we recommend you don't smoke cannabis, especially if you mix it with tobacco.

Can you get MS if you don't smoke?

People with MS who smoke can also see their MS develop from relapsing remitting MS to secondary progressive MS earlier than people who don’t smoke. In one study, people who quit smoking developed secondary progressive MS up to 8 years later than those who kept on smoking.

Does smoking increase your risk of MS?

It seems the risk from passive smoking may go up the longer you’re exposed to it. This could be important if you’re already at a higher risk of getting MS because your mother, father, brother or sister has MS.

What is the number to call for MS?

If you're worried about this information or have questions about smoking and MS, please call our free MS Helpline on 0808 800 8000 or email helpline@mssociety.org.uk.

What DMTs are tested with smoking?

The two DMTs that were tested with smoking were beta-interferons (Rebif, Extavia, Plegridy, Avonex, and Betaferon) and natalizumab (Tysabri). People taking them who smoked were found to have more relapses compared to people taking them who didn’t smoke.

Does smoking help with DMT?

So not only will taking a DMT not protect you from the effects of smoking, smoking itself could make the DMT work less well. The two DMTs that were tested with smoking were beta-interferons (Rebif, Extavia, Plegridy, Avonex, and Betaferon) and natalizumab (Tysabri).

Is vaping good for MS?

Smoking shisha or vaping e-cigarettes is fine. There's a growing body of evidence that vaping causes less harm to your overall health compared to smoking. But we're still unsure of its effects on MS. Vaping itself may be harmful for your MS, but more research is needed.

Is shisha bad for MS?

However there’s clear evidence smoking shisha is as bad for your MS as smoking cigarettes. 3. My DMT shields me from the effects of smoking. Disease modifying treatments (DMTs) can reduce relapses and slow down disease progression. But research shows smoking actually reduces effectiveness for at least some of them.

Does smoking make MS worse?

The evidence is clearer than ever: smoking can make your MS worse. It can speed up how fast you become disabled. It can also mean more and bigger lesions and more relapses.

Does smoking cigarettes make you feel better?

So smoking a cigarette is just taking you back to feeling normal .

DingerCPA Vaping Mistress Verified Member ECF Veteran

Two years ago, my S.O. was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). She has tried some of the interferon-type meds, but the side effects (basically, feeling like she has the flu for 3-4 days a week) were making her (even more) miserable.

Katmar Vaping Master ECF Veteran

Two years ago, my S.O. was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). She has tried some of the interferon-type meds, but the side effects (basically, feeling like she has the flu for 3-4 days a week) were making her (even more) miserable.

DingerCPA Vaping Mistress Verified Member ECF Veteran

Katmar, thanks for your reply. The MonSter can be evil, for sure. I'll check on D3 as well.

Gonzi Super Member Verified Member ECF Veteran

My wife has MS, been diagnosed since 2009 and has been through 2 different interferons, copaxone, a clynical trial involving iv infusions (bad, bad, bad, almost killed her), then about 9 months no treatment, and now on Tecfidera, with the best results.

Katmar Vaping Master ECF Veteran

My wife has MS, been diagnosed since 2009 and has been through 2 different interferons, copaxone, a clynical trial involving iv infusions (bad, bad, bad, almost killed her), then about 9 months no treatment, and now on Tecfidera, with the best results.

DingerCPA Vaping Mistress Verified Member ECF Veteran

Gonzi, {hugs} Certainly not what they've wished for in life, huh? We know a few other people with MS - one's taking copaxone, another Tecfidera (I think), and yet another taking nothing. Everyone's MS is so different. She got "needle fatigue" and dreaded "shot days".

Katmar Vaping Master ECF Veteran

Gonzi, {hugs} Certainly not what they've wished for in life, huh? We know a few other people with MS - one's taking copaxone, another Tecfidera (I think), and yet another taking nothing. Everyone's MS is so different. She got "needle fatigue" and dreaded "shot days".

How does second hand smoking affect the world?

Secondhand smoking kills tens of thousands of people every year in the United States alone. It can cause sudden infant death syndrome and lung issues in children. In adults, it can lead to serious health conditions later in life, such as stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer—even in people who never smoked themselves. 1

How does an e-cigarette work?

E-cigarette devices use metal coils to heat the vaping fluid, and over time, small amounts of metals can sometimes get into the aerosol after repeated use at high temperatures. 6 . While the person vaping will breathe in the full brunt of these toxins, some will be exhaled into the air.

What is acrolein in e-cigarettes?

Acrolein: This is a compound made when glycerin is heated by the coils in an e-cigarette. It can irritate the respiratory tract, including the delicate tissue of the lungs. 4

Is second hand vaping bad for you?

Secondhand Vaping as a Gateway. In addition to the still uncertain health risks associated with breathing in e-cigarette aerosol, being around people who vape could have other consequences—particularly for adolescents who are more likely to be influenced by social norms and visual cues.

Does vaping hurt your lungs?

Short-term studies didn’t find evidence that secondhand vaping hurts lung function , with one notable exception. Researchers found that people who were around vaping aerosol showed increases in the serum cotinine, which is a marker that someone was exposed to nicotine (an ingredient often found in e-cigarettes). 7  Given the long list of health risks posed by nicotine, more research needs to be done on how this exposure could affect someone’s lungs long-term like it can with secondhand smoke.

Can vaping affect non-vapers?

It’s still not clear how the toxins found in secondhand vaping can affect the health of non-vapers, especially long-term. The limited research available so far has largely focused on immediate health effects. That said, there are some concerns about how repeatedly inhaling e-cigarette aerosol over an extended period of time could affect bystanders’ long-term lung function and risk of allergic reactions.

Can vaping cause lung injury?

UPDATE: Recent illnesses have been associated with use of e-cigarettes (vaping). Since the specific causes of these lung injury cases are not yet known, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends refraining from all vaping products.

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