By Omotayo Edubi
Unpleasant or harmful sounds are said to cause damage to the ears and could be the most powerful sources of stress which can lead to biological changes including release of stress hormones.
NatureNews Africa gathers that Abuja, Nigeria’s capital territory can be relatively quiet but there are some parts that are affected by noise pollution.
Some drivers have become addicted to honking their horns unnecessarily, especially among the motorcyclists (okada riders).
Honking has not only become an environmental issue but also a public health challenge as well.
While marking the 2022 World Hearing Day on Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Hearing Centre Nigeria Limited, Dr. Irene Okeke-Igbokwe, said, “exposure to the sun and air pollution has long-term effects on health but we want everyone to understand how hearing loss occurs from listening to loud noise.”
Felix Damola, residing at Mab Global Estate, Idu, speaking to NatureNews in a brief interview, said “ Because of the heavy traffic along this road both morning and evening, it is unbearable to stay at home during those period because of the noise of car honks and some times at noon industrial noise”.
“We get to see many such patients daily. In fact, every fourth victim of road accident coming to us is a pedestrian. They say they felt dizzy walking on the road,“ Prof Ajai Singh, expert in orthopaedic trauma management at KGMU says.
He explained that sleep is an important modulator of hormonal release, glucose regulation and cardiovascular function.
Slow-wave sleep, the most restorative sleep stage, is associated with decreased heart rate and blood pressure, sympathetic nervous activity and cerebral glucose utilization.
“Poor sleep causes measurable changes on these systems and causes diseases.
“Noise pollution is the biggest cause of sleep disturbances these days,“ he stated.
A faculty member in the medicine department of KGMU said, “A number of health problems either arise from or are aggravated because of stress.
“Studies have shown that stress hormones can raise cholesterol levels directly, while indirectly they can alter heart rate and trigger acid production.
“Prolonged release of stress hormone suppresses functioning of the immune system.“
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