Sleep Disturbance and Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is a common issue for most of the international population. However, the specific finding directly related to sleep disorders is still unknown. But it is also a fact that noise pollution causes a grave disturbance in sleep. Noise whether it is due to road traffic, air traffic or even public place, it causes a disturbance in sleep. A dark and quiet place is ideal for sleep which refreshes your body organs and systems. Noise disturbs your sleep and impairs the functions of body systems that are associated with different stages of sleep.

Sources of noise pollution causing sleep disturbance

Noise can disturb your sleep at any stage. The severity of disturbance depends on the nature and period of exposure. In daily life, we face different types of noise pollution. However, the nocturnal noise is the most dangerous because it affects our routine sleep which is necessary to refresh body systems and to process the memory. Usually, we are exposed to three types of noise. An intermittent noise caused by road traffic. Every passing by vehicle leaves noise along with other environmental pollution. More traffic produces more severe noise. A sleeping place near to the public gatherings like amusement parks, concert halls also impairs sleep.

Air traffic is also a cause of sleep disturbance for the people who live in the aircraft conduit areas. The noise during landing and takeoff creates disturbance in sleep. The noise produced by industrial machinery is one of the major noise pollution of the current era. The industrial noise pollution also affects the sleep of the resident population of those particular areas. Although, the people get used to with the routine noise; however, it leaves long turn sleep disorders to the people who are continuously exposed to the noise. Open railway traffic also a major source of noise pollution for the general public residing close to the railway track.

How does noise ruin your sleep?

Noise impairs sleep in different ways. The continuous noise irritates the sensory systems which usually go on rest during sleep. The disturbance of sensory systems leaves bad effects on sleep in different ways. For example, the brain registers and processes the memory during sleep. Due to noise, the brain cannot perform this action which is directly associated with different stages of sleep. So, the continuous noise is also a factor of sleep deprivation because you cannot go in a deep sleep. The intermittent noise causes sudden awaking from any stage of sleep. Along with awakening, the air traffic sound also impairs the hearing sense. The effect of high pitch sound is more harmful during sleep than awake.

Effect of sleep disturbance on body systems

The above-mentioned sources of noise are unavoidable for every person in society. The noise leaves short term or long term effects on our different body systems. The sleep is helpful for the proper functioning of endocrine and metabolic processes in the body. The perturbation of these functions further causes impairment of cardio-metabolic and psychiatric disorders. The impairment of cardio-metabolic function leads to different types of mood disorders. Stress and different types of biological changes are the outcomes of nocturnal sleep disturbance.

As per research, the heart rate slowdowns during sleep. The sudden awakening with noise necessitates the sudden increase in the heart rate. This effect on noise on the heart generates different types of cardiovascular problems.

The effects of noise pollution on the sensory systems also leave different types of psychiatric problems on sufferers. Prolonged stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression are also the known outcomes of deprivation of sleep.

The disturbance in the digestive system is associated with sleep. The quiet deep sleep allows the digestive system to work properly.

Recommendations:

The above discussion proves that noise pollution is a solid cause of sleep disturbance. Especially, the disturbance of nocturnal sleep leaves more adverse effects on human health. Therefore, exposure to noise during sleep should be minimized or avoided.

Sleeping in the dark and soundless room is preferably recommended. However, if a suitable environment is not accessible, the earmuffs can reduce the effects of noise. The other measures to reduce the intensity of noise can be practiced as per the availability. The basic aim of taking measures is to avoid or minimize the effects of noise pollution.

Sleep Disturbance with Smartphone and Tablet

The purpose of this post is to highlight the sleep disorders caused by the misuse of the Smartphone. No doubt, Smartphone is a handy and useful device to access the information. Being a portable device, it keeps you connected 24/7. However, misuse of this useful invention is causing different types of sleep disorders, especially in the young generation. Over the night use of Smartphone ruin the sleep of user which results in sleeping daytime. In the subsequent paragraphs, you will read about the possible health issues especially sleep disorders associated with misuse of smartphones and tablets.

How do Smartphones impair your sleep?

The smartphone is a useful device with lots of applications of daily use. However, most of the people use this device beyond the requirements. The first impact of the excessive use of this electronic device affects your sleep. The following bullet points highlight the factors affecting sleep with the use of a Smartphone.

v    Sleep is impaired with excessive use. Many youngsters use tablets and smartphones to play different types of games. Along with the judicial use of getting information, the students spend the additional time on the smart devices. The time specified for sleep is used to play games that cause deprivation of sleep.

v    The blue light with a short wavelength is not only dangerous for eyesight but it also impairs your sleep as well. Continuous watching the blue light screen disturbs the body hormone (melatonin) which maintains the sleep and wake cycles.

v    Smartphone and tablets provide uninterrupted connectivity through social media websites. Connecting with new friends and business partners in overseas countries is the best feature of these smart devices. However, this connectivity urges people to stay connected without caring for their sleep. Even many people have been found sleeping with headphones in ears. This practice leads to sleep deprivation which further generates different types of sleep disorders.

v    Uninterrupted use of smartphones can also cause depression and anxiety due to different reasons. Breakup is one of the social issues which cause depression/anxiety. And 24/7 connectivity is one of the major reasons for a breakup.

v    The music lovers also misuse the Smartphone. Many youngsters have been found listening to music in bed. This practice also leads to sleep deprivation in youngsters.

v    Smartphone is also harmful to babies. The rays and light produced from the screen also disturb the children's sleep.

Measures to be taken to regularize sleep

Considering the proverb “excess of everything is bad” the use of smartphones and tablets should be restricted only to the requirements. The needs for using the devices vary with different communities. However, daily sleep hours must strictly be observed. Every elderly need 6-8 hours of deep sleep that never should be compromised. The use of screen filters must be ensured to minimize the effects of blue light. The researches prove that the use of the phone in laying position shifts more rays to the eyes. So, staring at the screen in the bed must be avoided.

Sleep Walking | Causes and Precautions

Sleep walking is known as one of the most dangerous sleep disorders. Basically, the individual does not know about his/her act of walking during sleep. It can cause a serious situation with the sufferer himself or any other person due to this act of walking. Therefore, susceptible should be kept under surveillance once found walking while sleeping.

Causes of sleep walking

The causes of sleepwalking and sleep talking are almost the same. Sleep deprivation is a common reason leading to such sleep disorders. The other associated causes are the use of sedative drugs including alcohol. The psychiatric and psychological problems also lead to sleepwalking. The children are more susceptible to the sleepwalking problem and the main reason is sleep deprivation. Nightmares are also a cause in the children’s sleep walking. In the current era, the burden of studies leads to sleep deprivation in the children which further causes the sleepwalking problem.

Possible hazards of sleep walking disorders

Sleepwalking is a hazardous issue because the individual does not about the condition. Actually, he/she sleeps but moves towards an unknown direction. Even a blind person knows about his/her moving activity but a sleepwalker doesn’t. So, walking while asleep is more dangerous than a blind person moving without an attendant. A sleepwalker can meet any unforeseen incident unavoidably. Here are some possible hazards that a person can face while walking during sleep. It will help you to understand the severity of such sleep disorders.

v                 A person sleeping on the roof of the building is more prone to meet an accident while walking during sleep. Especially, a roof without boundary walls is more dangerous for such a person.

v                 Naked electric wires, switchboard are also the hazards. Moreover, electrical appliances, like fans, heaters, and geezers are also unsafe for a person walking during sleep.

v                 Fire can also be a serious hazard for the sleeping person at the near location.

v                 A location near to the habitat of exotic animals is also risky. For example, a person sleeping in the vicinity of a zoo can face any incident when walks to the cage of an exotic animal.

v                 A person with sleep disorders of walking can also create a critical situation for the roommates or partner.

v                 Children can fall from the bed or swing. Moreover, the baby can also move outside the house as a result of sleep walking.

Precautionary measures against sleep walking

People susceptible to walking while the asleep need to be kept under surveillance. The motivation is the very first important step you must take in this regard. The individual must know about his condition and severity of the hazards related to this problem. The following precautionary measures can help to minimize the risk of hazards. However, close surveillance is necessary even after treatment.

Ø                  Sleeping on the roof of the building without boundary walls must be avoided.

Ø                  Placing obstacles in the vicinity of susceptible can minimize the risk of incidents. He/she may awake while striking the obstacle. However, the obstacle must be a safe one.

Ø                  All the electrical points and appliances must be kept out of reach.

Ø                  Preferably, the susceptible person must not sleep in an open area where he/she can free walk in different directions.

Ø                  The children should be induced in the studies gradually as per their capacity and age. They must be allowed sufficient time to complete their normal sleep.

Treatment/management of sleep walking

There is no significant treatment for sleepwalking disorders. This problem is caused as a result of other sleep disorders. So, treating the causative factor is helpful to control over sleep walking problem.

ü                  Sleep deprivation is one of the major problems of sleepwalking syndrome that can be treated with sufficient sleep.

ü                  For psychiatric and psychological problems, the management can minimize the episodes of this problem.

ü                  Special care and management are necessary in the cases of children because it can lead to other sleep disorders and health issues if the problem continues for a prolonged period. The individuals known cases of drug and alcohol dependence must be treated in rehabilitation centers. Till the completion of treatment, the patients must be kept under close surveillance.