The level of air pollution in the capital Delhi-NCR has been increasing rapidly for the last week. On Monday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 436, which is considered a 'severe' level of pollution. This type of air quality can cause serious health problems in many ways.
Air pollution has been considered to be the biggest cause of lung-respiratory problems, recent studies have also alerted about the increasing problems of diabetes due to it.
Health experts say the side effects of increasing pollution are not limited to this, being exposed to polluted air can also seriously affect your mood. Being exposed to polluted air can lead to complications ranging from mood swings, stress, and irritability to depression. Let us know how pollution has a negative effect on our mood, about which everyone needs to be alert.
Effect of air pollution on mental health
According to the report of the American Psychiatric Association, a study conducted to find out the ill effects of air pollution on health found that it can also hurt mental health. Studies have found polluted air to trigger stress-anxiety and also increase the risks of dementia-Alzheimer's disease and depression. It can have both short-term and long-term side effects.
Stress and anxiety can be a trigger
Living in polluted air can increase stress and anxiety problems in you for some time. If you are already a victim of such problems, then these problems can also be triggered due to exposure to air pollution.
Researchers say that when we are constantly exposed to pollutants and contaminated air, the release of stress hormones increases, which can hurt our mental health.
Risk of mood swings and depression
Research has linked air pollution to increased risks of mood disorders and depression. Pollutants can affect brain functioning, which can also lead to negative changes in mood and cognitive functioning. Prolonged exposure to air pollution can increase your risk of depression along with frequent mood swings.
Air pollution is considered a serious problem for depression patients.
The risk of neurodegenerative disorders also
Long-term exposure to pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), increases the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's. This condition is also considered to increase the risks of dementia. Being exposed to polluted air can trigger brain problems. Everyone needs to keep protecting from air pollution.
(PC: Freepik)
