Shift Work Sleep Disorder

byThe Center for Sleep Medicine

What is Shift Work Sleep Disorder ?

Shift work can be very disruptive to your sleep cycle, to the point that you candevelop a circadian rhythm sleep disorder known as shift work sleep disorder.

Unlike plain insomnia, shift work sleep disorder is tied to when you are able toobtain sleep, often as a result of working night shifts or rotating shifts

Your body clock does not correspond to the time of day you are able to sleep, dueto your schedule.

Signs and Symptoms of Shift Work Disorder

Excessive sleepiness that causes yawning or periods of sleep

Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep between shifts

Low energy levels

Headaches

Problems concentration

Irritability or a continual bad mood

Signs and Symptoms of Shift Work Disorder

You will sustain work-related injuries

You will make costly mistakes

You will need more sick time

You will be at risk for more sleep-related car accidents

You may use alcohol or drugs to aid in sleeping or waking

What Causes Shift Work Disorder

Your body views light as a signal to be awake and darkness as a cue to sleep.

For some people, sleeping at any time is not a problem, but many on non traditionalwork schedules find themselves unable to get to sleep.

They come into work feeling tired and may even fall asleep on the job.

They are still energized from the day and not ready to go to bed even though they havethe opportunity to sleep.

By the time they get to sleep, it may be time to wake up, and they restart their workdayalready exhausted

While some adjust to new shifts after a time, others never really adjust to early morningshifts, night shifts, overnight shifts, or rotating shifts and some may do better on onerather than another.

Behavioral And Life Style Changes To Aid Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Room darkening shades

Blocking out digital displays

Wearing earplugs to kill sound

Gaining the cooperation of your family to ensure uninterrupted sleep time

Behavioral And Life Style Changes To Aid Shift Work Sleep Disorder Wearing dark wraparound glasses on your trip home from work to get you in

the mood to sleep.

Maintaining a comfortable temperature of 65 Fahrenheit in your room so it isnot too hot or too cold to sleep.

Eating a healthy diet rather than fast food or high-calorie vending machinesnacks

Working exercise into your regime

Gaining the cooperation of your family to ensure uninterrupted sleep time

Treatment for Shift Work Disorder

If the testing proves that you have shift work sleep disorder, the doctor’srecommendations might include

A prescription for sleeping pills for a short time or a medication such asMetaformil, which is used for narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and other sleepdisorders.

Dietary supplement such as melatonin that can help you improve your sleep. Bright light therapy that uses artificial light to help you transition to new shifts.

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you suspect that your work schedule is upsetting your circadian rhythm and may be leading to shift work sleep disorder, contact us online or by calling 708-364-0261 to book an appointment with one of our board certified sleep specialists in Chicago.