New Study Links Vaping and E-Cigarettes To Increased Risk of Prediabetes

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

Smoking is terrible for you in many more ways than one, including increasing your risk for type 2 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that people who smoke are 30 to 40 percent more likely than non-smokers to develop type 2 diabetes. But a new study concludes that vaping and e-cigarettes are hardly safe alternatives when it comes to elevating your chances of developing diabetes. Specifically, individuals who regularly vape are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with prediabetes than those who don’t use e-cigarettes.

A comprehensive analysis of 2016 to 2018 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the largest annual health survey in the U.S., found that nine percent of more than 600,000 survey respondents reported vaping or using e-cigarettes alongside a prediabetes diagnosis.

Lead researcher Shyam Biswal at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health put it bluntly in a press release: “Our study demonstrated a clear association of prediabetes risk with the use of e-cigarettes.”

Prediabetes is a reversible condition usually associated with a person’s lifestyle, indicated by a higher-than-normal blood sugar level. Without lifestyle changes, prediabetes can lead to the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Biswal said that the researchers were surprised by the correlation as these products have been “touted as a safer alternative” to conventional cigarettes, noting that nicotine in traditional cigarettes “has a detrimental effect on insulin action, and it appears that e-cigarettes may also have the same.”

Given the possible link between vaping and prediabetes suggested in the study, researchers recommend stopping the use of e-cigarettes and dissuading people from the misconception that vaping is somehow safer than smoking.

“Our effort for smoking cessation has led to a decrease in smoking traditional cigarettes. With this information, it is time for us to ramp up our public health efforts to promote the cessation of e-cigarettes,” Biswal concluded.

Keep Your Blood Sugar In Check With CGM

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or not, you should try to stop smoking as soon as possible. Smoking is one of the biggest culprits that lead to major diabetes complications, including heart disease. But in addition to no more smoking and vaping, exercise, a healthy diet, and keeping blood glucose levels as close to your target level as possible are all critical elements of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. One way to ensure that you keep your blood levels in check is through Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). It is a tested, approved, accurate, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes monitor keep abreast of their blood sugar levels 24/7 without any need to stop what their doing to take a blood sample.

Speak with your doctor and contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

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If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

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*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading