The Health Risks Threatening Night Shift Workers

Work when most people are sleeping at night and sleep when people work, is associated with the risk of various diseases in the body when the routine is done continuously. Working at night can affect and interfere with the circadian rhythms (biological processes of the human body) for 24 hours.

According to Barbara Philips, medical director of the sleep laboratory at the University of Kentucky, these activities make the quality of sleep for the worse. These conditions resulted in the secretion of hormones in the body.

He said that the night shift workers consistently do not get enough sleep for 1-3 hours within 24 hours as compared to non-shift workers. His night shift workers may be more fragmented and of poor quality. Philips explained that working at night or sleep deprivation can lead to risk of various health problems.

He added that the night shift workers are at increased risk of obesity, breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, diabetes, pregnancy complications, ulcers, and heart disease.

A 2012 study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine show that working at night can increase the risk of cancer in women by 40 percent. This Suervei involve 18,500 women in Denmark who worked evenings starting from 1964 to 1999.

Risks associated with diabetes, a study in 2013 published in the same journal, shows that working at night can increase the risk of diabetes by 9 percent. This risk is mainly due to not eating well and changes the body's metabolism due to work at night.

Philips says that sleep a night can reduce the production of the sleep hormone (melatonin). In fact, these hormones are known to prevent cancer.

Elsewhere, Stephanie Dailey, assistant professor of psychology and behavioral sciences from Argosy University, Arlington, Virginia, said that working at night is not only affects physical health, but also mental and emotional person. According to him, someone who works in the evenings it will be easier to feel anxiety and cognitive abilities decline.

He explained that the ability tends to decrease the ability to pay attention to (focus) and it will be an issue for many sectors of work that requires precision. In addition, the cognitive abilities will also be decreased so that it can affect your work.

Dailey said they were working on the night shift is also known to have higher stress levels. Generally they are more prone to anxiety and depression.

To get good quality sleep, he suggested a person to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. But avoid working at night in a long time.

Dangers Of Too Often Taking Sleeping Pills

Not a few people who consume sleeping pills to help them sleep or rest comfortably. The medicine may be prescribed by a doctor, or maybe they can on their own at a pharmacy. Taking sleeping pills actually is normal and acceptable, but taking it too often and excessively will have effects that are not good for health.

A recent study published in the journal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that sleeping pills are considered to have a considerable danger from what most people think.

The data showed that there are many health problems in hospitals were caused by excessive consumption of sleeping pills. This is supported by data showing an increased number of patients were also admitted to the hospital related to the use of sleeping pills from 2005 to 2010. So, what exactly makes a sleeping pill be dangerous?

A researcher named Carl Bazil, M.d said that many people think that sleeping pills tend to be benign. But therein lies the problem. Sleeping pills can actually help people sleep in peace. However, sleeping pills only have a temporary effect, and is not to be used in the long term. If used improperly, these drugs can be dangerous.

The greatest danger of sleeping pills tend to be more influential in women than men. This is because women have the possibility of drug metabolizing sleep longer than men. Another problem is related soporific effect that will be felt in the next morning. People who take medication to sleep at night will usually be a bit tired after waking up the next morning. In fact, the person may still feel sleepy. When he was dozing off when I went to work and he was driving, then it can be fatal for his safety.

Bazil explained the "accident while driving is one of the biggest problems when people consume sleeping pills. This is because they often do not realize that they are not fully recovered consciousness. It's almost like someone driving a vehicle while intoxicated ".

Sleeping pills can also be dangerous when consumed with alcohol, stimulants, or other drugs. The effect will be doubled, and make people feel uncomfortable when I wake up the next morning. Most people often do not realize that the effects of sleeping pills are very fast and powerful. In order not to be dangerous, it should be taken sleeping pills when you are ready to sleep on a mattress.

As for the other problems that may arise as a result of sleeping pills are addictive. Although not always the case, but the long-term use of sleeping pills can trigger craving and dependence on the drug. When the body has been accustomed to sleeping pills, then the body will 'accept'. You might be more difficult to fall asleep when not taking sleeping pills first.

Sleeping pills should only be consumed to aid sleep, however, do not consume them too often. Do not rely on sleeping pills to get to sleep soundly. Begin to fix your sleep patterns, can be a way of relaxation before bedtime or foods that can trigger drowsiness.