Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Shift work sleep disorder is a condition caused by a work schedule that happens when the body would normally be sleeping. This means that the body wants to be sleeping but instead is working. The body then needs to sleep while it would normally be awake. The sleeping and waking periods of the individual are out-of-sync with their body's internal clock.

This internal clock is responsible for controlling the circadian rhythms in the body. The term circadian refers to a twenty-four hour cycle. It is these rhythms that allow the body to feel sleepy and alert at different times of the day, every day. Sunlight helps set this clock.

Cure Insomnia
Stop Daytime Tiredness and Sleepiness with a Good Night's Sleep

Individuals working the late night or early morning shift usually report this disorder. It makes them feel severely tired and they may have trouble sleeping. These individuals often receive at least one hour less than that of a normal sleeper, and sometimes as much as four hours less. The sleep they do receive is generally very poor in quality. The person with shift work disorder can wake up feeling groggy. It can interfere their work performance and can also leave them prone to injury on the job as they are not very alert.

This poor sleep cycle persists for however long the person works these shifts. Once sleeping takes place at a normal time, the problem usually goes away. How long the problem lasts and how intense it becomes is different for every individual. Some people can work better while dealing with this condition than others. Adding to the fatigue of the sleep problems, shift workers tend to work longer hours than those with regular, set hours.

If the individual is going to be working shift work hours for an extended period of time, a sleep specialist may need to be seen. A doctor should also be seen to help diagnose and treat the problem. A sleep journal should be kept for at least two weeks so the doctor has an idea of what the sleep patterns have been like. Generally, using this sleep diary and knowing what the sleep schedules are for the person will be enough information for the doctor to help treat the problem. However, there are times when they may suggest other tests.

These tests include an overnight sleep study and a Multiple Sleep Latency Test. The overnight sleep study will show and record your brain waves, heartbeat, and breathing as you sleep. It will also record leg and arm movements. The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a daytime nap study that records brain waves during at least four naps. This test will record how fast the individual falls asleep during the day and what the quality of sleep is like.

Effective treatment needs to limit the negative impact on the individual's body due to shift work. Employers are often asked to help with treatment as the employee's schedule may need to be changed. Some of the techniques used are for shift work sleep disorder are not having the workers change shifts as much as before, providing the workers with plenty of breaks, offering employees the option of exercise, and working with bright lights on.