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Shift Work Sleep Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Shift work disorder is one of the most common sleep conditions that affects individuals working outside their usual daytime hours. Whether you are struggling to work rotating shifts, night shifts, or early morning schedules, the internal clock of the body may struggle with the adjustment. It creates issues with your sleep pattern when you are willing to rest and causes excessive sleepiness while you are working. The disruption may affect your quality of life.
What is shift work sleep disorder?
Shift work sleep disorder in shift workers is a kind of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder that takes place when the work schedule of an individual disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle or the circadian rhythm.
Shift work sleep disorder management is possible. Individuals who work irregular hours may experience a mismatch or disruption with their Circadian Rhythm. The biological clock may not match their typical work schedule.
- Sleep difficulties after falling asleep post-work
- Frequent awakening during the night
- Poor sleep quality
- Excessive sleepiness during work hours
- Fatigue even when sleeping for sufficient time
Individuals who are commonly affected by the condition are healthcare workers, police officers, factory workers, airline staff, IT professionals, truck drivers, security personnel, emergency responders, etc.
Causes of shift work sleep disorder
The primary cause of SWSD is disruption of the body’s internal biological clock. It should be noted that Shift work sleep disorder management is possible, but you need to first find its root cause. There are multiple factors that may add up to such conditions, and they are:
Disruption of circadian rhythm
The human brain is known to produce melatonin when it is dark, as it helps promote sleep. When you are working all night, the natural process is suppressed, and patients find it difficult to sleep during the daytime too.
Night shift work
Night shift work keeps employees awake when it is actually time to sleep. It leads to chronic sleep deprivation and Night shift sleep disorder in shift workers.
Rotating shift schedules
When work shifts frequently shifting between night, evening, and day, the body fails to establish a consistent sleep routine.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle habits such as excessive intake of caffeine, smoking, alcohol ahead of bedtime, more screen time, and heavy meals ahead of sleep are a few habits you may need to change.
Extremely bright artificial lighting
When the eyes of the patients are exposed to bright light during nighttime, it is possible for melatonin production to be suppressed. It further delays sleep.
Poor sleep environment
It is possible for daytime sleep to get interrupted by sunlight, phone notifications, household noise, family responsibilities, etc.
Longer working hours
When an individual works 10 to 12 hours for shifts, the available time for proper recovery and rest is reduced.
Symptoms of shift work sleep disorder
Symptoms of such a chronic condition may get worse after long shift work. Here are some of the common symptoms, which may include:
- Frequent awakening during the night
- Difficulties falling asleep
- Poor quality of sleep
- Fatigue
- Concentration problems
- Reduction in alertness
- Memory issues
- Mood changes
- Anxiety
- Memory problems
- Headache
- Depression
- Reduction in work performance
- Increased accidents at workplace
How Shift Work Sleep Disorder Affects Your Health
If SWSD is left untreated, it may affect almost all the organs within your body.
- Short-term effects: Short-term effects include chronic fatigue, poor concentration levels, changes in mood, increased risks of accidents, reduction in productivity, weaker immunity, etc.
- Long-term health risks: Long-term risks of the chronic disorder may be linked with multiple chronic health problems. These health concerns may include cardiovascular problems, high BP, stroke, etc. These also include Type 2 diabetes, mental health disorders, obesity, cognitive decline, gastrointestinal issues, etc.
How Is Shift Work Sleep Disorder Diagnosed?
SWSD is diagnosed according to symptoms, sleep history, and work schedule. Here are the steps for diagnosis:
- Doctors evaluate medical history that includes work schedule, lifestyle habits, daytime sleepiness, sleep routine, use of medications, etc.
- Patients might be asked to keep a sleep diary that includes their sleep times, wake times, shift schedule, and levels of fatigue.
- A study on patients’ condition and their symptoms related to sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome may be required.
- Actigraphy may be needed in which patients are required to wear wrist device monitors for tracking their activity and sleep patterns for a few days.
- Sleep Questionnaires may also be helpful in measuring sleep quality and daytime sleepiness of an individual.
Treatment for Shift Work Sleep Disorder
Treatment for this problem includes a combination of lifestyle adjustments and prescription medicines. The major aim of the treatment is to adjust the body clock of the patient, enhance night-time alertness, and improve daytime sleep patterns.
Lifestyle and sleep patterns
- Make sure you create darker rooms for sleep.
- Noise and light must be blocked when required.
- Plan shorter naps of 30 or 60 minutes.
Use of supplements
Melatonin supplements taken before sleep time can signal your body about your rest time. Coffee should be taken while starting shifts, but make sure you stop drinking it right before your sleep time.
Medical treatments
Wake-promoting drugs such as armodafinil and modafinil help manage sleep patterns. Sleep pills or short-term prescription medications must be used to help patients with daytime insomnia.
FAQs
What is Shift Work Sleep Disorder?
Shift work sleep disorder is a common type of sleep problem affecting individuals working night shifts, irregular schedules, and rotating shifts. When the work hours disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle of an individual, difficulties in sleeping may be experienced.
Can Shift Work Sleep Disorder be cured?
It can be managed, but it may be tough to cure it completely, especially when the shift work has continued. Using proper lifestyle, sleep schedule, and medicines for Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD), like armodafinil and modafinil, but only under medical supervision, can be the game-changer.
How many hours should shift workers sleep?
7-9 hours of quality sleep in 24 hours is essential for shift workers.
Is Shift Work Sleep Disorder permanent?
It is not permanent. Symptoms have improved when an individual returns to their usual work schedule. Adoption of proper and authentic treatment strategies is important.
Who is most at risk of Shift Work Sleep Disorder?
Rotating shift employees, night shift workers, emergency responders, industrial and factory workers, transportation workers, IT professionals, customer support, etc. are usually at risk of developing this disorder. They may struggle with Night shift sleep disorder.
Conclusion
Experiencing more than just feeling exhausted at night? The circadian rhythm sleep disorder may be affecting your mental well-being, physical health, job, and entire quality of life. Risks of insomnia, other sleep disorders in shift workers, and other kinds of sleep disturbances are possible with the increase in symptoms.
The chronic conditions can be dealt with by creating a sleep-friendly environment. For sleep medicines for Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD), trust only a professional and dedicated team or pharmacy, like smartfinil.com. where you get access not only to the medicines, but also to their informational medical guide for use.