Why do Shift Workers Suffer from Health Problems?

Shift work sleep disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that occurs due to the work schedule that takes place during the normal sleep period.

You have to work in night schedules when your body wants to sleep.

You have to sleep when your body expects to be awake. Your sleep and wake times are much different than your internal body clock.

This internal clock controls circadian rhythms in your body. Circadian means to occur in a cycle of 24 hours.

These circadian rhythms make you alert or feel sleepy at regular time periods every day.

There are several types of shift work schedules. These include the following:

1. Early-morning shifts
2. Rotating shifts
3. Night shifts

The shift workers have one to four hours of less sleep than average. You have trouble sleeping due to the different shift work schedules. The quality of sleep is also poor. You do not feel refreshed when you wake up from sleep. Due to the poor sleep, your performance is affected. It can also make you less attentive.

This condition continues as long as you keep a shift work schedule. If you start to sleep in the normal time again, your problems tend to go away. But for some people, the sleep problems may continue based on the severity of the problem.

If you have evening shift, you may have hard time falling asleep. If you work night shifts, you will be tired on the job. If you have early morning shifts, you may have trouble falling asleep or waking up.

Shift work - health problems:

Research findings are beginning to show that shift work can be dangerous to your health. Your brain contains circadian clock, which monitors the amount of light you can see moment by moment. When the light starts to wane in the evening, your clock notices and prompts the melatonin, which gives the body, the signal to fall asleep. Melatonin remains low during the day and remains high at night.

The other chemicals such as noradrenaline and acetylcholine during the day increase in the body and keep you awake. This system keeps you synchronized through the day-night cycle.

Heart disease:

Shift work may play a role in heart disease. Some research studies have shown that cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels increase among shift workers than among day workers. Both contribute to heart disease.

Digestive problems

Shift work can cause problems with digestion including ulcers, stomach and bowel problems, and a decrease in appetite.

Other health problems

Shift work can make some health conditions worse such as epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and depression.

Sleep problems

Shift work affects your sleep and the amount of sleep required to you. You may feel tired and may not feel refreshed due to lack of sleep.

Social and family problems

Shift work causes problems in your family and outside also. Participation in social activities and family life is difficult since these activities are often present when you are at work. Lack of contact with family and friends can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Safety concerns

Due to the different shifts, you may feel sleepy at the work place. You may not do your work properly. Due to the sleepiness, you may have motor accidents or work related accidents.

Solutions to shift work Organizations:

The organizations can follow some of the techniques to reduce shift work problems. There is no perfect shift schedule but schedules can be improved in the following ways:

1. limit the number of night shifts worked in a row for each worker
2. for morning shifts, early start can be avoided.
3. quick shift changes can be avoided.
4. permanent night shifts must be avoided for each worker.
5. the long work shifts and overtime can be reduced
6. rest breaks must be included enough in between the work.
7. schedules must be kept regular and workers should be informed about the schedules well ahead of time.
8. give as many weekends off as possible with at least two days off in a row

Organizations can also help by providing a work environment for shift workers with

1. good lighting at work place
2. clean rest and meal areas
3. proper ventilation at work place

Organizations should meet the individuals often to provide the needs of workers. They can provide

1. flexible time for child care needs or long travel time to work
2. alternative work for workers who cannot work shift work
3. education for workers to help them cope with shift work
4. time off for special family or community events

If you have a medical problem like diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, or mental health problems you should ask your doctor’s advice before becoming a shift worker.
If you are a shift worker, you can improve your sleep by a regular bedtime. Make sure to

1. have time to relax
2. make your bedroom dark so that the light cannot disturb you
3. lower the bedroom temperature
4. avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking and sleeping pills
5. lower the bedroom temperature
6. make the bedroom dark
7. eliminate noise as it can disrupt your sleep

Eat high protein meals before work. Avoid high protein, high fat and greasy foods for five hours before bedtime.

If a safety committee is present at your work place, make recommendations to them to reduce the effects of shift work and improve shift schedules for you and your coworkers.