Nocturnal noise is “playing havoc” with the sleep pattern of city dwellers because of pollution, say physicians and sleep experts during a recent conference on sleep anomalies in the city. The program was organized by the Institute of Sleep Science & Society.
A recent report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) showed that the noise level of Kolkata ranges between 65 to 89 decibel; thirteenth noisiest in the world and the noisiest among Indian metros, considering the highest value.
Incidentally, another recent international report found out that, during 2021, Kolkata was second most polluted among Indian metros and sixtieth in the world.
“Severe noise pollution, particularly episodes of sudden blaring of high pitched noise, be it siren, honking or anything else, during night time is playing havoc with the sleep architecture of city residents and we are regularly receiving complaints on the problem” pointed out DipankarDatta, an ENT specialist and sleep expert to this journalist.
Datta claimed that city’s night time noise remains well above the guideline prescribed by World Health Organisation – 30 to 35 decibel in bedroom – a complaint being corroborated by a senior official of state environment department.
“The average noise level in residential areas of Kolkata remains around 50 to 60 decibel. It’s a fact that honking or other noises late at night often push the level up to around 70 decibel or more” said the official.
Incidentally, an increase of 10 decibel noise level doubles the pressure on the eardrum of exposed people.
“The adverse effects of noise on public health are manifold and are a growing global concern. They cover a broad spectrum of outcomes, ranging from mild and temporary distress to severe and chronic physical impairment. Night-time noise disturbs sleep and affects well-being the following day” corroborated the recent UNEP report.
“As per a study conducted by the institute, and being published in a medical journal, people with lung diseases are often found to suffer from sleep disorders.
It is believed that inflammation caused by exposure to high air pollution adds up to the inflammation of sleep disorders and worsen the problem”, pointed out pulmonologist Arup Haldar, underlining the link between polluted city air and sleep disorders.
“Many of us do not attach much importance to sleep, and do not sleep adequately often by design, which may lead to multiple physical problems, including neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and weight gain.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a disease that can even lead to death due to lack of oxygen in the body” added Haldar.Obstructive sleep apnoea is potentially a critical sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts and may turn out to be fatal. Music director and singer BappiLahiri recently is thought to have succumbed to the disease that, according to a 2019 Lancet study, impacts 28 million Indians.
“Sleep disorders, often triggered by over exposure to mobile and other electronic gadgets, are associated with cardiac diseases, diabetes and likewise” observed other doctors present in the meeting.
RajarshiNeogi, a psychiatrist, pointed out that insomnia has increased during Covid particularly people being kept locked down and working from home. “The work from home culture is completely destroying sleep discipline and triggering disorders” added Neogi.
“Apart from adults, we are also getting obstructive sleep apnoea cases from children in the city” shared Datta.
According to data generated by Indian association of surgeons for sleep apnoea , which has also considered data from Kolkata, about one-fourth of the adult population snore in India; 5 to 9 percent suffer from sleep apnoea , more in males.
“Even 15 percent of children within the age group of 5 to 10 years snore; about one-fourth of them suffer from apnoea” added a sleep researcher.
“Unfortunately the awareness about the disease is still extremely low and patients hardly report to doctors; and hence a highly treatable disease is often turning out to be fatal” lamented a doctor at the sidelines of the meeting.
Symptoms of sleep disorders
- Snore in sleep
- Difficulty in breathing during sleep
- Excessive movements during sleep
- Fatigue during the day
- Lack of energy at work
- Mood changes