Given the recent scientific evidence including our results, bright outdoor lighting may be a novel risk factor for prescribing hypnotic drugs," Min said. A variety of environmental factors, including excessive noise or light and extreme temperatures, led vapor tight fixture suppliers will disrupt the sleep of most individuals. About 22 percent of study participants had prescriptions for hypnotic drugs.The findings have been published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Furthermore, older adults exposed to higher levels of artificial, outdoor light at night were more likely to use hypnotic drugs for longer periods or higher daily dosages.Usage data for two hypnotic drugs, zolpidem and triazolam, were extracted from health insurance records.
The estimated light pollution level in each administrative district was matched with individuals' residential districts to determine an individual exposure level. "Our results are supportive data that outdoor, artificial, nighttime light could be linked to sleep deprivation among those while inside the house."This study observed a significant association between the intensity of outdoor, artificial, nighttime lighting and the prevalence of insomnia as indicated by hypnotic agent prescriptions for older adults in South Korea," said Kyoung-bok Min.
The authors reported that the inappropriate or excessive use of artificial, outdoor light at night, referred to as "light pollution," has emerged as a novel environmental factor linked to human health.Min added that public health officials seem to be less concerned with light pollution than with other environmental pollutants.end-ofTags: artificial light, insomnia, outdoor light, hypnotic drug, sleep, health and well beingRelated StoriesE-therapy may help ease insomniaTalk therapy may help soldiers combat insomnia. Research has shown that artificial night-time lighting, whether indoor or outdoor, induces disruption of circadian rhythms, potentially leading to metabolic and chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity and depression.