{"id":6456,"date":"2020-06-05T11:09:43","date_gmt":"2020-06-05T09:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/?p=6456"},"modified":"2020-06-23T13:07:17","modified_gmt":"2020-06-23T11:07:17","slug":"shift-work-sleep-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/shift-work-sleep-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"Shift Work Sleep Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shift work causes a conflict between the body\u2019s biological clock and its surrounding environment. This is a double-edged sword that leads to drowsiness at work and insufficient sleep or even no sleep at all when it\u2019s time to rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

The so-called <\/span>shift work sleep disorder<\/span> is common among workers like doctors, police officers, firefighters, pharmacists, people in the manufacturing sector, security guards, etc. Although shift work has some adverse effects on sleep, you can\u2019t necessarily get up and leave your job tomorrow. Therefore, it would be beneficial to remember some tips to better deal with <\/span>shift work disorder symptoms<\/span> and therefore get healthier sleep\u2014even when you have to work overnight.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that shift work can affect your physical and emotional state. For example, as time goes by, the hobbies you once enjoyed become a distant memory as you wait for \u201cmore free time.\u201d Read on to better understand this condition and to learn how to manage it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Causes Shift Work Disorder?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Many people work night shifts, with no option but to sleep during the day when everyone else is at work. However, people don\u2019t choose this schedule on their own\u2014they work these positions because they get some benefits for doing so or simply because their profession requires it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the human body is adapted to a 24-hour rhythm of vital functions, also known as the <\/span>circadian rhythm<\/span>. Hardly anyone can outsmart their biological clock, though it may be tricked for a brief period. In the case of a <\/span>night shift sleep disorder<\/span>, the biological regime becomes disrupted, which leads to a decrease in body temperature. This also explains why we feel cold when we\u2019re sleep deprived. A common manifestation of lack of sleep is excessive hunger, which is explained by the body trying to recover its wasted energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually at night, the body has decreased physiological activation and performance. However, <\/span>shift work and<\/span> the <\/span>sleep<\/span> habits that come with it produce new conditions that are in complete contradiction with the body\u2019s circadian rhythm. Even with prolonged alternating shifts, it\u2019s been found that the body fails to fully adapt and \u201creverse\u201d its circadian rhythm, meaning the biological clock can\u2019t synchronize with the new sleep-wake pattern.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similar complaints to the <\/span>shift work disorder<\/span> can also be observed when you travel and cross more than two time zones. This condition, <\/span>jet-lag<\/span>, only temporarily confuses the biological clock. In this case, however, the body can synchronize its habits of sleeping, eating, etc., to the natural regulator of our biological regime, i.e., natural light. However, this is not the case with shift work. The latter represents a constant challenge to the body\u2019s adaptive capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Working<\/b> the <\/b>Night Shift Bad for Your Health?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Shift work is generally unfavorable for your sleep and health because it interferes with your natural biological rhythm. In this way, even though you\u2019re awake at night, your body is still pushing you to sleep. Despite what many people say to the contrary, the night shift experience cannot help you learn how to overcome your lack of sleep and develop resilience. The truth is that the more extended night shifts you experience, the greater your risk of health complications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because it\u2019s associated with insufficient <\/span>sleep,<\/span> work shift disorder<\/span> increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders (including acids and ulcers), or a weakening of the immune system.<\/span><\/p>\n

The cardiovascular risk is thought to also be augmented by smoking, nutrition changes, and stress. Meanwhile, the typical gastrointestinal symptoms are the result of irregular nutrition (often from eating quickly and intermittently); the consumption of cold, dry, spicy, <\/span>fried, or rich-in-fats food<\/span>; and the increased use of coffee and tea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Various studies<\/span><\/a> indicate that <\/span>shift sleep disorder<\/span> can also increase the risk of menstrual disorders, pregnancy problems, problems with sperm, low testosterone, and cancer. <\/span>Too many<\/span> or too few hours of sleep interfere with circadian rhythms\u2014this changes hormonal levels and the expression of genes that are important in the production of semen.<\/span><\/p>\n

An inadequate amount of sleep is also related to the appearance of metabolic disorders: changes in appetite, higher levels of triglycerides, <\/span>obesity<\/span>, <\/span>diabetes<\/span><\/a>, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the two most severe problems for those with <\/span>shift workers\u2019 syndrome<\/span> remain <\/span>sleep deprivation<\/span> and <\/span>chronic insomnia<\/span>. Prolonged <\/span>sleep deprivation<\/span> can cause the appearance of so-called <\/span>micro sleep<\/span>. This refers to episodes of involuntarily falling asleep, which last for only a few seconds. However, these episodes can be a major safety danger, especially in the case of driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in other high-risk work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last but not least, we have to mention the social consequences associated with isolation from family life, insufficient time to interact with a partner, and how this work impedes social activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are the Symptoms of Shift Work Sleep Disorder?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some studies<\/span><\/a> on operators and drivers show that prolonged, monotonous work can lead to tiredness in the workplace, which isn\u2019t always recognized by the person experiencing it. The first symptoms are most often associated with extreme drowsiness in the workplace and during off-hours, poor concentration, delays in reactions, and difficulty making decisions. When <\/span>work shift disorder<\/span> worsens, more errors, incidents, and reduced performance also become a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, additional problematic sleep symptoms have also been observed:<\/span><\/p>\n