A recent research found that air pollution increases the likelihood and severity of sleep apnea

Not only can living in a dirty city be detrimental to your lungs, but it may also have an adverse effect on your sleep. According to a recent research, there may be a link between air pollution and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder that causes breathing to stop and resume frequently while you sleep.

Data from twelve separate studies were examined in this study, which was published in the International Neurotoxicology Association journal, in order to determine the connection. The researchers discovered a cause to think that air pollutants, especially nitrogen dioxide (NO2), may be linked to an increased risk and severity of OSA, even if the data isn’t yet certain.

One major gas pollutant that is created by burning fossil fuels and vehicle exhaust is NO2. According to the research, being around NO2 may exacerbate pre-existing sleep apnea or possibly raise the risk of getting it in the first place.

Although the precise mechanism behind this association has not yet been determined, the researchers provide many potential explanations. One of the main characteristics of OSA is upper airway collapse, which may be aggravated and inflamed by air pollution. Furthermore, contaminants may interfere with the nervous system’s ability to regulate breathing.

It is well recognized that these pathophysiological alterations have a role in the onset and aggravation of respiratory conditions. According to the research, air pollution may exacerbate upper airway inflammation and dysfunction in the setting of OSA, increasing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. “It is important to note that effects of air pollutants may vary based on the type of pollutant, duration of exposure, and individual susceptibility factors, including age, gender, and underlying health conditions,” it states.

This study contributes to a growing body of evidence that suggests air pollution may affect human health more broadly than previously believed. Although further research is required to validate the connection between pollution and OSA, these results underscore the possible risks associated with breathing in polluted air.