The Air You Breathe Could Be Affecting Your Quality Of Sleep

Posted in Air Quality, on October 23, 2015

Do you constantly wake up feeling tired or are you experiencing chronic stuffiness? Perhaps you need to improve your indoor air quality. When you sleep, your body typically recharges itself, rejuvenates its senses, and restores its energy in preparation for another day. However, frequent sleep interruptions can cause you to wake up cranky and tired. What most people don't realize is that there's a direct relationship between sleep quality and air quality. For this reason, indoor air quality plays an important role in determining sleep quality. If you're constantly complaining of poor sleep, check this out.

Study Linking Air Pollution and Sleep Problems

You probably know that air pollution can exacerbate your allergy and asthma symptoms. However, are you aware that it could also prevent you from enjoying a good night's sleep? According to scientific evidence, there's a direct relationship between sleep quality and air quality. A 2010 study by the Harvard School of Public Health revealed that air pollution increases the pace at which sleep disordered breathing (SDB) takes place. The experts investigated this link using data from the Sleep Heart Health Study, which comprised over 6,000 participants between 1995 and 1998. According to the researchers, up to 17% of U.S. adults have SDB though many are unaware. Research has also linked both pollution and SDB to a range of medical issues, including increased cardiovascular mortality. The researchers further revealed that particles might affect sleep through effects on the upper airways and central nervous system. The findings also suggest that a mechanism for sleep health inconsistencies and poor sleep may have a link to environmental pollution. Therefore, if you're experiencing a difficult time sleeping, perhaps you should examine your indoor air quality.

Ways in which Poor Air Quality Affects Sleep

Sleep Interruptions

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can generate disruptions in your sleeping patterns. Inhaling animal dander, dust, contaminants, and other atmospheric pollutants in huge quantities while sleeping could also lead to restlessness and lack of adequate oxygen in the blood, making you wake up feeling cranky, tired, and listless. You can eradicate several of these pollutants from your sleeping area by changing pillows and bedding frequently, not sharing your bed with pets, and installing a premium air filter in your home's cooling and heating system.

Medical Problems

Inhaling poor air quality while you're asleep could lead to various unpleasant reactions the following morning. Some people may wake up with a stuffy feeling in their sinus cavities or nose, an itchy throat because of the contaminants inhaled throughout the night, or a headache. Restlessness while sleeping can also cause confusion, lethargy, and a feeling of fatigue when you wake up the following morning. Ensuring that your bedroom has sufficient circulation and ventilation can decrease the air pollutants and contaminants in your sleeping area.

Symptom Aggravation

People with breathing difficulties, allergies, or asthma can find it extremely difficult to obtain a good night's sleep in a place with poor air quality. Bear in mind that poor IAQ can exacerbate these conditions' symptoms while making sleep an unpleasant experience. Deep inhalation that takes place throughout sleep causes the body to breathe in numerous irritating particles that agitate your respiratory system, causing sneezing, coughing, sinus inflammation, and other effects of sleep disruption. Nevertheless, a premium air conditioner filter that can remove small particulate, animal dander, pollen, and dust from the indoor air will help decrease the pollutant effects on your body.

Tips to Enhance Your IAQ

Change Air Filters

Ensure you change the filters regularly in your furnace and HVAC system. It's also important you invest in a premium but affordable air filter.

Natural Cleaners

Avoid scented products, harsh chemicals, and air fresheners. Instead, use baking soda, vinegar, and lemon. For hard-surface floors, use cloths for attracting and holding dust instead of vacuums or brooms. Are you constantly experiencing sleep disruptions? Perhaps it's time you make a commitment to enhancing your home's air quality in order to enjoy quality sleep. If you require assistance with issues related to air quality, kindly contact us so we can help (416) 414-5690