Doctors told about the negative impact of noise in the metropolis on health

Urban noise has long been an integral part of the lives of most residents of large metropolitan areas. However, the constant hum of cars, construction work, loud music and household appliances can not only irritate, but also have a serious impact on human health. This was announced on October 7 on the website of the Delovoy Peterburg newspaper.

According to Ekaterina Gergesova, a consultant at Lab4U, the noise level of 55 decibels (dB) is the maximum permissible for continuous exposure. But many residents of large cities are faced with noise that exceeds this threshold.

"We hear sounds and noises in a wide range. For example, 30 dB is a quiet whisper, 50-60 dB is a normal conversation, 65-80 dB is a noisy street or a vacuum cleaner," said Kristina Burladian, an otorhinolaryngologist at the First Family Clinic of St. Petersburg.

It is specified that the noise of cars on busy highways reaches 90-95 dB, and the noise from construction sites can exceed 100 dB. Prolonged exposure to noise above 85 dB can lead to sensorineural hearing loss and gradual hearing loss.

In addition, the article noted that constant noise is a cause of chronic stress. In response to noise, the brain activates the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to increased levels of stress hormones — adrenaline and cortisol. This can lead to high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

"Meta–analyses show that with an increase in traffic noise for every 10 dB, the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases increases by 2-8%," Gergesova added.

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In addition, according to Burladian, high cortisol levels also disrupt insulin production, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Special attention should be paid to the quality of sleep. Even if it seems that you are used to noise, it prevents you from reaching the deep stages of sleep, which negatively affects the recovery of the nervous system. Doctors say that sleep disorders increase anxiety levels and make people even more sensitive to noise.

Experts noted that noise protection in residential areas is an important step towards maintaining health and psychological comfort. It is recommended to install effective soundproof windows, use blackout curtains, and isolate noise sources such as ventilation and plumbing systems.

To absorb sounds from neighbors, you can arrange furniture in such a way that cabinets and dressers serve as an additional barrier. You can also use carpets that absorb noise well, as well as install breezers — devices for supplying fresh air with a low noise level.

"Earplugs can be wax, silicone and polypropylene. However, it is very important to take care of hygiene and not push them too deep into the auricle. In addition, there are headphones with active noise cancellation. They generate a sound wave opposite to the background noise and dampen it. There are also headphones with passive noise cancellation, which isolate well due to a tight fit," recommends otorhinolaryngologist Burladian.

On September 30, Li Yan, Chief Physician of the Department of Cardiology at Tandu Hospital at the Air Force Medical University (AIR Force), reported on the worldwide increase in the incidence of valvular diseases in people over 70 years of age. According to him, to improve heart health, it is necessary to know the main risk factors, including old age or hereditary predisposition. The specialist also called for attention to the control of blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and blood sugar levels.

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