Photo by chuwasg
My husband is pursuing a job which would require him to work the night shift every other month. Because of this, I wanted to find out how this might affect his sleep and came across the article, “Night Shift Makes Metabolism Go Haywire“. Here are some key points the researchers discovered:
When a person’s circadian rhythm becomes separated from the day-night cycle, metabolic hormones can go crazy. The body produces less leptin, the hormone which tells the body to stop eating when you’re full, therefore leading to increased food consumption. Blood glucose and insulin levels also increase, both of which are linked to diabetes. Blood pressure rises. Cortisol levels significantly increase which is linked to almost every disorder night work can cause. Fifteen million people in the US work the night shift and are consequently prone to higher risks for heart disease, bone fractures, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
Research is being done and the hope is to find therapies that can help restore metabolic order. Until then, researchers suggest that the best therapy is a permanent move to night work. Shifting back and forth or trying to have a normal schedule on your day off can keep your circadian rhythm from ever settling. If you try to stay completely on the night shift, do keep in mind that exposure to sunlight while commuting could re-set your biological clock, throwing you off your rhythm again.
Everyone is different and some may be able to handle night work better than others, but it’s still important to pay attention to the condition of your body and do the best you can to take care of it. For example, with the increased risk for heart problems, I would recommend getting screened on a yearly basis. Preventive measures are always worth doing. You only get one body and many of these health risks are hard to spot and aren’t easily reversible.
Night shifts are needed in many industries and I salute those who sacrifice so much to fill those roles. I just hope health isn’t part of the sacrifice and those who do it find a way to take care of their bodies.
By Emily S.
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