Coping with a Shift Work Sleep Disorder

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March 25th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

If you are one of the millions of people who often rotate their work shifts and are in effect working when their body needs to rest, you might notice that you feel more and more sleepy-eyed during your night shifts and unable to sleep during the daytime even though you might feel very tired. These symptoms of sleepiness and insomnia are a condition called either shift work or circadian rhythm sleep disorders, which can in addition, induce other health related problems such as frequent headaches, having difficulty concentrating and no energy. Read on for several tips on what you can do to relieve the symptoms of this sleep disorder.

One of the initial things you will want to do is change your work schedule. When you are working at night, you are confusing your body’s natural circadian rhythm, which will make you even more sluggish and crusty. Circadian rhythm is the body’s inner biological clock, which determines sleep and wake times. Working the night shift is expecting your body to work when it needs to sleep and the other way around. This is evidently not the normal way of resting, so, if possible, speak to your supervisor about your complaint so that you can get as much nocturnal sleep as possible.

Here are some sleep strategies for shift workers that you may like to try. If you must work your shift, it is advisable to keep away from caffeinated drinks while you are working, and specially right before you go to sleep. Caffeine dries out the respiratory tracts, and might act as a stimulant for a while, but will cause you to feel even more tired and groggy after the buzz wears off. This could cause sleep apnea syndrome in many individuals, not to mention excessive snoring. Therefore, endeavor to drink fruit crushes, or ask your physician about natural supplements you can take while you work.

Other symptoms connected with shift work sleep disorder include insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness. The latter is closely connected with a chronic neurological disorder called Narcolepsy where a sufferer might find themselves doing things that they cannot remember later or experiencing dramatic dreams while not actually sleeping. Additional consequences of SWSD are fatigue, decreased ability to concentrate or focus, irritability and feelings of tension and depression.

Keeping a record of your work schedules and rest patterns is normally adequate information for your physician to reach a proper diagnosis. Nevertheless, for ongoing sleep problems or if an underlying sleep disorder is suspected, you might be asked to keep a sleep diary in which you keep a record of your sleeping habits. You should also attempt to maintain a regular sleep schedule, even on your days off or at weekends. If you believe they may be helpful, ask your doctor about medications such as Ritalin or Melotonin. It is crucial that you do not try and self diagnose your problem as it may be something more than a shift work sleep disorder.

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