How Air Pollution Affects Your Sleep?
Increasing pollution in the environment is not only the headlines of every newspaper but also has a negative impact on human health. The lungs and brain suffer from air pollution the most. Air pollution may increase the risk of sleep apnea. There are many sleep clinics in OKC with renowned doctors who have also confirmed that air pollution increases the risk of sleep apnea.
Increased Sleep Apnea Risk
Studies have established the link between air pollution and sleep disorders. They found some common pollutants, the PM2.5 (particles 2.5 micrometers in diameter) and nitrogen dioxide (pulverized) that can lead to obstructive sleep apnea.
The causes of sleep apnea are basically the blocked upper airways that limit oxygen flow to the body. The over relaxation of the upper muscles of the airways induces this obstruction, and the air particles exacerbate it. This emission has a tenfold drop relative to 10-micron diameter for dust and pollen.
The study also showed that people exposed to these contaminants are at risk of sleep apnea for other causes like high body mass index, high blood pressure, diabetes and so on. It can also be said that people are more vulnerable to sleep apnea if they live in an area near a power plant, manufacturing, high-speed traffic or agricultural burn.
The research team was able to estimate the air contamination exposure at each participant's home using air pollution measures collected from hundreds of MESA air and environmental surveillance sites in six U.S. cities and sophisticated local environmental features and statistical tools.
The study revealed that one participant's chances of having sleep apnea increased 60% in annual exposure to PM5 per 5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg / m3).
The researchers adapted their results to variables, including the body mass index, family incomes, diabetes, blood pressure, smoking and socio-economic status of neighborhood students, for each 10 parts per billion NO2 increase each year.
Researchers also examined sleep efficiency, the time spent in bed in reality sleeping compared to total time in bed, using a device that measures small movements called a wrist actigraphy. When adapted to the same conditions, they did not see any link between air pollution and sleep quality.
Since the study was not a randomized controlled trial, the relationship between air pollution and sleep apnea cannot be demonstrated by cause and effect. Researchers also said that their findings could not be adjusted for noise and light pollution that could affect sleep.
However, controlling air pollution is not possible in one day. But, increasing risk of sleep apnea is dangerous. You can visit OKOA to get your sleep apnea treated.
**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.