Shift Work Sleep Disorder- Are you at Risk??

What is shift work sleep disorder?

Shift work sleep disorder is a circadian sleep disorder that affects people who work night shifts or who often have a rotating shift schedule.This disorder is caused because the body cannnot adjust to the unnatural circadian rhythm. Shift work sleep disorder consists of a constant sleep interruption pattern the causes insomnia or excessive sleepiness.

Do I have it??

Shift work sleep disorder affects those people that have irregular work schedules. For example, people who work the night shift and people who rotate their shifts to include both daytime and nighttime shifts. It is a common disorder with those people who work nontraditional hours, generally from 10pm to 6am.
Nearly 1.5 million people that work nights on a regular basis have this disorder, which is about 25% of the total nightshift workers!!

What kind of symptoms would I have with Shift Work Sleep Disorder?

The most common symptoms are insomnia or excessive sleepiness, but there are many other side affects as well including:

difficutly concentrating
headaches
lack of energy
less efficient work
irritability
anxiety and depression
increase in heartburn and indigestion
increase in colds and flu
increase in heart problems and higher blood pressure

How can I identify if I have Shift Work Sleep Disorder?

If you work the nighttime shift or often rotate your shifts and do not get much sleep, consulting your doctor is the best thing to do if you experience some symptoms of SWSD. If you have trouble falling asleep or have trouble staying awake on you drive home, you may want to try some at home treatments to help get your circadian clock back on schedule! Not every shift worker suffers from this disorder, but 25 % of you do and you may not know it. Seeing your doctor is the fastest and easiest way to prevent accidents and make you feel better while getting sufficient sleep!

To Learn more About SWSD...Try One of These Links

Treaments For SWSD
Frequently Asked Questions
References