News

 

Shift Work May Increase CVD, Diabetes Risk

Shift workers are at a significantly increased risk of sleep disorders and metabolic syndrome, which increases a person’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, individuals, employers, and physicians all can take steps to mitigate these risks, according to a clinical review in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

Researchers say nightshift workers are especially prone to developing sleep disorders and metabolic syndrome. The risks increase even more for those who work irregular or rotating shifts.

“The strength of our economy and safety of our society depend heavily on nightshift workers,” says lead study author Kshma Kulkarni, OMS IV, an osteopathic medical student at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine. “It’s critical we address the health issues facing people in this line of work.”

Kulkarni says 17.7% of the US labor force works outside the hours of 6 AM and 6 PM. She adds that shift workers are central to the travel, hospitality, and ecommerce industries, as well as the 24-hour support needed from nurses, physicians, and first-responders, eg, police and firefighters.

One study found 9% of nightshift nurses developed metabolic syndrome, compared with only 1.8% of dayshift nurses. Other studies have noted that risks gradually increase with accumulated years of shift work.

Working nights disrupts individuals’ circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock responsible for neural and hormonal signaling. Once a person’s circadian rhythm is desynchronized from their sleep/wake cycle, they’ll likely experience disturbances in hormonal levels, including increased cortisol, ghrelin, and insulin and decreased serotonin, among others.

The cascade of hormonal changes is what prompts the development of metabolic disorders and causes people to develop multiple chronic conditions. Kulkarni recommends the following measures to prevent serious health issues associated with shift work.

It Starts With Sleep
The first essential step for nightshift workers is to establish consistent sleeping hours, Kulkarni says. Employers can help by eliminating rotating shifts that disrupt sleep patterns even further. They also can schedule shifts to start before midnight and last no more than 11 hours to help workers adjust and stabilize their new circadian rhythm.

She adds that workers can maximize their rest by following some basic tips, including the following:

• Sleep in a seven- to eight-hour block every 24 hours, ideally at the same time each day.
• Schedule the main block of sleep as close to evening or night as possible to minimize circadian disruption.
• Take an additional nap for 20 to 120 minutes earlier in the day to prevent fatigue.

Controlling Light Exposure
Exposure to light promotes wakefulness in general, so researchers recommend nightshift workers increase their light exposure before and throughout their shifts. In addition, employers can install high-intensity lights (~3,000 lux) to simulate daylight exposure and assist circadian adaptation.

Conversely, when coming off shift, workers should minimize their blue light exposure. Blue light is prominent in electronic screens and can delay melatonin production. Research shows avoiding blue light two to three hours before sleep can improve sleep quality. Kulkarni says workers can stay off their devices and/or wear orange tinted goggles to block out blue light.

Diet and Exercise
Previous studies have shown shift workers are more likely to eat snacks higher in sugar and saturated fat while consuming less protein and vegetables, and more likely to skip meals. Kulkarni emphasizes that diet is even more critical for people at risk of metabolic disorder and recommends the following to improve nutrition:

• Eat three meals per day at close to the same time each day, with more calories consumed earlier in the wake cycle.
• Make sure meals and snacks primarily incorporate protein and vegetables.
• Employers can assist by offering nutritious options in vending machines and break rooms, and by scheduling regular breaks earlier in the shift.

Similarly, exercise plays an outsized role in the health of shift workers, and can help reestablish the circadian rhythm. Kulkarni recommends shift workers exercise at a similar time each day, at least five hours before they go to bed. In addition, they should incorporate aerobic exercise into their physical activity, as it has specifically been indicated to improve sleep quality.

“It’s true that getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising are critical to everyone’s health,” Kulkarni says. “However, the nature of shift work is so disorienting and discordant with those principles, [so] we really need to help people in those jobs strategize ways to get what they need.”

— Source: American Osteopathic Association