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Health Risks of Working the Night Shift

If you work on the night shift, you may be susceptible to a number of health risks. Doctors have found that those working the graveyard shift are more likely to develop sleep disorders, heart problems and overall body fatigue.

  1. Function

    • The natural sleep cycle is not designed to be conducted during the daytime. On one hand, the human brain is not geared toward sleeping during the day, but more importantly, noise becomes a major disturbance to the full sleep cycle.

    Features

    • Human bodies receive cues from the presence of light. Without the proper schedule, the circadian rhythms that control the sleep-wake cycle in the body and brain are interrupted, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

    Significance

    • The heart is very susceptible to damage from working the night shift. According to a 2009 study by Harvard Medical School, irregular heart beats can develop and ultimately lead to heart disease or even heart attacks.

    Effects

    • A lack of proper sleep ultimately develops into stress on the body similar to jet lag. This will cause overall problems because of the work pattern. People on the night shift end up tired and worn down, developing fatigue and irritability.

    Considerations

    • General relaxation can also be a challenge to those working the graveyard shift. People who work during the day generally come home and relax for three to four hours before going to bed. However, night shift workers tend to come home and go directly to bed, not providing enough time to decompress.

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