Does Vaping Cause Joint Pain?
Joint pain is a common complaint, especially among older adults. Nearly half of adults ages 65 and older report having joint pain on most days (1). There are many potential causes of joint pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, injuries, and other medical conditions. In recent years, some people have begun to question whether vaping could also contribute to joint pain.
What is Vaping?
Vaping involves inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette device. These devices heat a liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales. The liquid commonly contains nicotine, flavors, and other additives. Vaping has grown increasingly popular, especially among youth and young adults. In 2018, over 3 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes (2).
Could Vaping Cause Joint Pain?
There is limited research specifically examining whether vaping causes joint pain. However, some health experts theorize that vaping could potentially contribute to joint pain in a few different ways:
Inflammation
Some of the chemical ingredients used in vaping liquids and flavorings have known inflammatory effects. Inhaling these chemicals into the lungs can trigger inflammation. There is emerging evidence that vaping exacerbates inflammation throughout the body, including in the joints (3). Ongoing inflammation is thought to play a role in many types of arthritis and joint pain.
Toxic Exposure
The vapor produced by e-cigarettes contains high levels of ultrafine particles, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds. These toxins get absorbed into the bloodstream when inhaled. Exposure to heavy metals and toxins is linked to higher risks of inflammatory conditions like arthritis (4). The metals and chemicals in vaping products may act as neurotoxins that promote systemic inflammation.
Nicotine Effects
Most vaping liquids contain high concentrations of nicotine, even though some are marketed as containing zero nicotine. Nicotine is known to constrict blood vessels, potentially worsening circulation. Poor circulation could deprive cartilage and joints of nutrients and oxygen. There is also some evidence that nicotine harms cartilage cell metabolism (5).
Lung Damage
The inhalation of toxic chemicals from vaping can damage lung tissue. Some research indicates vaping may increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Damaged lung tissue releases inflammatory markers that travel through the body. This lung inflammation may indirectly worsen inflammation in other areas, such as joints and connective tissues.
Vitamin E Acetate
Vitamin E acetate is sometimes used as a thickening agent in vaping liquids. When inhaled it can cause significant lung injury. Vitamin E acetate vaping has been linked to an outbreak of a serious lung disease called EVALI. There is speculation that lung damage caused by vitamin E acetate could spark inflammation that spreads to joints and causes arthritic pain (6). However, more research is still needed.
Dehydration
Vaping causes dehydration, likely because the vapor absorbs moisture from the mouth and airways. Dehydration is known to worsen joint pain in some individuals. Being even mildly dehydrated can decrease lubrication around the joints and make cartilage more susceptible to compressive damage (7).
Vaping May Aggravate Existing Arthritis
Currently there is no definitive evidence that vaping directly causes joint and arthritis issues on its own. However, vaping may exacerbate joint problems for those who already have arthritis or musculoskeletal conditions. The chemicals and toxins in vaping products likely promote inflammatory pathways that can worsen arthritis inflammation and joint damage (8). More research is still needed on vaping and arthritis symptoms.
Studies Investigating Vaping and Joint Pain
Very few scientific studies have looked specifically at vaping and joint pain. Some small studies provide preliminary evidence:
Young Adult Survey
A 2021 survey of over 1,800 young adults ages 18-35 explored potential health symptoms associated with vaping (9). 21% of participants who vaped reported experiencing joint pain, compared to 10% of non-vapers. This suggests vaping may be linked to higher risks of joint pain, but does not prove cause and effect.
Online Survey Data
A 2020 study analyzed online survey data from over 12,000 adolescents and young adults (10). 14% of e-cigarette users reported having arthritis, compared to 10% of non-users. The young people who vaped were 50% more likely to self-report arthritis. However, this type of data relies on self-diagnosis of arthritis.
Case Report
A case report described a 20-year-old man with severe osteoarthritis in his hip joint possibly linked to heavy nicotine vaping (11). After months of vaping one nicotine pod per day, he developed immobilizing hip pain and stiffness. Doctors diagnosed him with rapidly progressive hip osteoarthritis. His joint damage was unusually severe for someone his age without predisposing joint defects.
Mice Study
One study exposed mice to nicotine vapors over 4 months (12). The mice developed more severe experimental arthritis compared to unexposed mice. The findings suggest nicotine vaping could worsen arthritis progression. But animal studies may not always apply to humans.
Overall, current research provides limited evidence that vaping could contribute to joint pain and arthritis. Higher quality controlled studies in humans are still needed to understand the connection between vaping and joint health.
Should You Stop Vaping to Reduce Joint Pain?
There is not enough evidence yet to know if quitting vaping would alleviate joint pain. Vaping likely promotes systemic inflammation that could drive some types of joint pain. For those with pre-existing arthritis, vaping may exacerbate joint symptoms. Therefore, stopping vaping might theoretically reduce arthritis-related joint pain in some individuals.
However, severe or worsening joint pain warrants medical assessment. It is important to rule out other causes. Osteoarthritis, autoimmune arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, injuries, and other medical conditions can all cause joint pain unrelated to vaping.
For teenagers and young adults with joint pain concerns, discontinuing vaping may be beneficial. Vaping is risky and harmful to developing lungs and bodies. Quitting can also prevent addiction to nicotine. For older adults dependent on vaping, a discussion with a doctor is recommended before attempting to stop vaping.
Seeking Medical Treatment
See a doctor if you experience any of the following (13):
- Joint pain that does not improve with rest
- Joint swelling without a known cause
- Locking, buckling, or instability in a joint
- Inability to fully move or bear weight on a joint
- Stiffness lasting over 30 minutes, especially in the morning
- Severe pain even at rest or at night
A physical exam, imaging tests, or lab work can help diagnose the underlying cause of joint pain. Blood tests look for inflammatory markers and autoantibodies linked to arthritis. X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds evaluate joint damage. Based on the results, medications, injections, physical therapy, or even surgery may help manage severe joint pain.
Lifestyle Changes to Help Joint Pain
Making certain lifestyle changes may relieve joint pain. These include:
Quit Smoking and Vaping
Eliminating all nicotine, smoke, and vape exposure reduces inflammation. Avoiding secondhand and thirdhand smoke is also important.
Lose Excess Weight
Carrying extra body weight strains joints and can worsen arthritis over time. Losing even just 10-15 pounds helps reduce knee arthritis pain.
Exercise
Low-impact activities like walking, swimming and cycling boost joint health. Strengthening exercises build up the muscles supporting joints.
Use Assistive Devices
Braces, insoles, splints, canes and walkers reduce stress on painful joints.
Apply Hot and Cold
FAQs
Can vaping directly cause joint pain and arthritis?
There is currently limited evidence that vaping alone directly causes joint pain. More research is needed to confirm a direct link between vaping and arthritis. However, vaping may worsen joint pain in people who already have arthritis.
What ingredients in vaping products could contribute to joint pain?
Ingredients like nicotine, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and vitamin E acetate may promote inflammation. Flavorings may also have inflammatory effects. These components could indirectly worsen joint pain when inhaled.
Why would vaping potentially affect your joints?
Inhaling toxins can cause systemic inflammation that spreads to joints. Lung damage from vaping releases inflammatory chemicals. Vaping may also constrict blood vessels and worsen circulation to joints.
Who is most at risk for joint pain associated with vaping?
People who already have arthritis or joint injuries may be more likely to experience exacerbated joint pain from vaping. Older adults are more susceptible to arthritis flare ups in general.
Should you quit vaping if you have joint pain?
For young adults, quitting vaping may be beneficial for joint health. But it's important to see a doctor to diagnose the underlying cause of joint pain. For older adults addicted to nicotine, consult a doctor before attempting to quit vaping.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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