What Causes Circadian Rhythm Disorders?

Shift Work

Shift work may cause an employee to have to work at odd hours of the day or night, and some shift workers may have to work through the night for years. Circadian rhythm disorders are so common among shift workers that the term 'shift-work sleep disorder' was coined to describe the particular disruptions that plague these employees. In particular, employees who work on a rotating schedule pattern face an especially high risk of developing this type of sleep disorder. While those who work the night shift regularly may be able to adjust their sleep patterns, rotating work schedules don't allow an individual to have a regular time frame for their work, and this can result in both insomnia and daytime sleepiness. To reduce the risk of this type of circadian disruption, individuals should aim to have a regular working schedule whenever this is possible, and they should eat healthy meals at regular intervals to help reset their body clock. If necessary, a sleep specialist can help shift workers with getting higher-quality, more restful sleep.

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