It is well known how much obstructive sleep apnea affects our body.
It leads to various diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, depression, insomnia…..
Several studies have found that pollution, especially PM2.5, exacerbates respiratory diseases as it causes inflammation and swelling, leading to worsening of emphysema, asthma, allergies.
Moreover…..just at the end of last year, a study conducted in the United States found that long-term exposure to pollution increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
This study measured the pollution around the homes of 1,974 people over a period of 5 years. It found that exposure to pollution, PM2.5 dust, and nitrogen dioxide gas increased the risk of sleep apnea. For every 10 ppb increase in nitrogen dioxide inhaled, the risk of developing sleep apnea increased by 39%, and for every 5 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 inhaled, the risk of developing sleep apnea increased by 60%.
The study controlled for other risk factors that could increase the risk of sleep apnea, such as gender and obesity.
The exact cause is not yet clearly known, but it is suspected to be due to inflammation and swelling of the upper respiratory tract, along with dust entering the brain directly affecting the brain centers that control breathing…..
In summary, pollution and dust are additional risk factors that should not be overlooked, and all parties need to pay more attention to this issue.
Because it causes numerous health problems…..
Dr. Darakorn Pornsrinikhom
Neurologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist
Brain and Neuroscience Center
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai
