New Delhi: Prolonged noise exposure caused by road traffic and trains to increase the risk of developing dementia, a new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggested.
Dementia is an umbrella term for several diseases that affect memory, other cognitive abilities and behavior that interfere with a person’s ability to maintain their daily activities.
About Requirements, studies need to be taken seriously, especially in cities such as Delhi, which have the highest number of vehicles in India and suffer from all possible forms of pollution.
Authorities must find ways and ways to reduce noise pollution.
The BMJ study found that the average exposure of 10 years against road traffic and train noise was associated with higher risk of dementia.
This is based on the analysis of long-term exposure to noise from two sources among two million adults over the age of 60 and live in Denmark between 2004 and 2017 and identification of new cases of dementia in this country during the period.
India has witnessed rapid urbanization over the past decade.
The doctor said the findings must encourage authority to plan a way to reduce exposure to noise pollution.
According to Dr.
Ravi Meher, Professor ENT at the Maulana Azad Medical Institute, there are previous reports but this one is a great study that will stimulate medical professionals to do it further.
“And obviously this research emphasizes the adverse effects of noise on human health.
The National Green Court and the government must record it and plan a way to reduce noise exposure,” he said.
Dr.
Kameshwar Prasad, a former head of neurology in AIIMS, who is currently the Head of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, said that voice pollution was known to be related to coronary artery and diabetes.
“The findings of this research are important, although it requires a confirmation in large-size population studies.
If it is confirmed, this can be a potentially modified risk factor for dementia,” he said.
The possibility of explanation for the noise effect on health including release of stress hormones and sleep disorders, BMJ study.
“Fifteen years ago, we used to see one or two cases in a month.
Now, we see a new case in a week.
One of the reasons behind this can increase awareness and availability of diagnostic facilities.
However, it is the fact that the prevalence of disease also Increased significantly over the years, “Dr.
Preveen Gupta, Director of the Neurology Division at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon, said.
He added that Denmark’s research that connects voice pollution to the risk of dementia’s development is an eye opening even though it does not establish a cause and effect relationship.
“We cannot wait for evidence.
Sound pollution is a modified risk factor that is also associated with complications related to hearing and therefore focuses necessary to reduce exposure,” said Dr.
Gupta.