Air Pollution Can Add To The Risk And Severity Of Sleep Apnea Study Finds

Due to air pollution, you may have to face serious respiratory diseases. A new study has been published regarding this. The study says that due to air pollution, the risk of obstructive sleep apnea can increase further. This is a disease in which breathing stops repeatedly during sleep and starts again. No conclusive evidence has been mentioned in the study, but many factors have been mentioned due to which there is definitely a link between air pollution and obstructive sleep apnea.

Study in the International Journal of Neurotoxicology Association Published According to research, if a person is repeatedly and continuously exposed to very high levels of air pollution, it can cause inflammation in the body. It also increases oxidative stress, which prevents the upper respiratory system of the body from functioning properly during sleep. Researchers are saying that such pathophysiological changes contribute to the development and severity of respiratory problems.

In the context of OSA, air pollution increases inflammation of the upper airways and causes dysfunction of the system. Therefore, it greatly increases the chances of airway dysfunction while sleeping. It is also important to note here that the effect of air pollutants depends on their type, exposure to them, and individual sensitivity.

For the study, experts conducted a systematic review and combined 12 studies. Then, they analyzed their data and tried to understand the relationship between air pollution and the risk and severity of OSA. Researchers found that air pollutants such as NO2 etc. work to increase the risk of OSA further. NO2 belongs to a group of air pollutants that are gaseous elements. It is formed by road traffic and burning of fossil fuels. The study concludes that healthcare providers should also pay attention to environmental factors in relation to the risk of OSA.