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Re: night shift and other stuff AND You are not alone.


Posted by George Costas on June 14, 2000 at 04:51:14:

In Reply to: night shift posted by eddie1999 on June 13, 2000 at 20:14:36:

Eddie read my posting on 5/22/00. Also read the book "Sugar Busters." Shiftwork can screw up you entire system. Dr, Eve Van Cauter ties sleep deprivation (shiftwork is a form of sleep deprivation for most people) to many of the signs of aging including insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the main cause of mature onset(old people's)diabetes. Weight gain is a predictable outcome. The weight gain can bring on the symptoms of sleep apnea and visa versa.

Exercise as if your life depended on it; it does. While at work eat light snacks only. Don't be tempted to get an energy boost from sweets or "high energy" snacks. Don't eat a big meal when you are going to sleep, though with your constant napping that may prove very difficult. And for God's sake get off the night shift for good if possible or for substantial AND continuous periods of time if not possible.

Your schedule is especially tough because of your quitting time. If you get off at 9AM by the time you get home and to bed, your natural wake cycle is going to start peaking and wake you up. Not only the length of your sleep but its quality will be diminished.

Finally you might want to seek out a qualified sleep lab for assessment. I have seen their work achieve good results but I have also seen them fail miserably when confronted with the effects of shiftwork.

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