This condition, also known as SWSD, is categorized as a circadian rhythm sleeping disorder and affects people by causing both drowsiness and fatigue from working irregular hours. With business models changing from the typical nine to five, to longer working days or even 24 hour working, the demand on employees to work irregular hours is greater than ever before.
While these positions are often incentivised, people who perform these jobs are at an increased risk of experiencing a disruption to their circadian rhythm. Fortunately, there are a new wave of medications that have been developed to combat fatigue and improve wakefulness. Read on to learn more.
SWSD in the UK
It is estimated that between 10% and 40% of employees who work irregular hours experience SWSD. The inability of people working night shift to get adequate rest during off hours, makes them fatigued and more likely to experience bouts of extreme tiredness during working hours. The option to buy nootropics UK give people 12-15 hours of alertness that prevents SWSD from taking effect.
Due to the risks associated with fatigue, the UK parliament has set policies in place to minimize any potential accidents that can occur. One of these policies is to raise awareness among the general public and employers about the concerns regarding shift work sleep disorder.
What are the Symptoms?
While this condition can lead to patients feeling headaches, drowsiness, and irritability, the two major symptoms associated with SWSD are insomnia and narcolepsy. According to the experts over at the Med Park Hospital, insomnia is diagnosed when a patient struggles with falling asleep or waking up suddenly during the night, with symptoms lasting longer than 30 days. Narcolepsy is when a person falls asleep suddenly throughout the day or during working hours.
Both these conditions can occur due to SWSD, and both need to be treated. While a good night’s rest can positively impact a person’s health, a poor night’s rest can cause someone to doze off or lose focus while on the job.
The Circadian Rhythm
Our body has a natural clock that plays a major role in whether or not we can achieve a good night’s rest. Those struggling with SWSD can combat this disorder by learning about the things that have a direct impact on our body’s natural clock.
Our body’s circadian rhythm operates on a 24-hour schedule and regulates important sleep and wakefulness hormones according to natural factors like sunlight and darkness. It can also be impacted by stress levels and the foods that we consume.
Improper bedtime routines and irregular resting hours can cause an imbalance in the body’s natural clock. Typically, when the sun has set and it gets dark outside, the body will start increasing certain hormones and decreasing others to prepare for bed. Performing a job with irregular hours can change the body’s normal routine, and will require an adjustment period in order to adapt to the new schedule.
How Hormones Help?
With regard to our natural body clock, two main hormones contribute to individuals feeling either awake or tired. Cortisol assists people by helping them get up in the morning. This hormone promotes wakefulness and gradually builds up throughout the night. It is at its highest levels in the body right before a person wakes up. This is the reason why many people find it uncomfortable to get up early.
Melatonin performs the opposite task, as it helps people get ready for bed in the evenings. This hormone is affected by light, and its production can be slowed down when someone is exposed to direct sunlight. Both sunlight and blue light from screens can decrease melatonin and lead to feeling awake when lying in bed.
With regard to falling asleep and waking up each day, the circadian rhythm makes use of these two hormones. This is one reason why individuals with SWSD can have trouble getting to bed at the end of their shift, or why they might experience hypersomnia.
Why is it Necessary to Treat this Condition?
Shift work sleep disorder requires a proactive approach to treatment. This is because conditions that prevent a proper night’s rest can affect a person’s overall well-being, including their physical and mental health. In addition to this, leaving the condition untreated can lead to impaired cognitive function or difficulty concentrating for extended periods of time either at work or socially.
In addition to causing poor performance while at work, individuals can also feel less focused performing everyday tasks. Driving, operating machinery and doing physical work all require heightened levels of alertness, people who don’t get enough sleep increase the risk of accidents both at work and at home.
Managing this Condition
According to the experts at the Cleveland Clinic, there is no specific cure for this condition, but there are different approaches that can be taken. Those affected by SWSD can slowly work towards following suitable bedtime routines that accommodate the irregular working hours. For those who’d prefer quicker results, bright light therapy and stimulants that promote alertness can be used.
The experts at Harvard Health suggest the use of bright light therapy as a treatment that can be used to adjust bedtime schedules. It is recommended that users should have their spectrum light turned on and set to 10,000 lumens for at least 20 minutes, within the first hour of waking up.
Another solution that can be helpful is the new wave of wakefulness promoting agents.
Finding Smart Drugs Online
Patients who suffer from this condition can find modafinil for sale UK online. This is a popular, tried and tested treatment that can help individuals achieve higher levels of concentration for up to 12 hours. It come with no hangover effect and is regarded as the first official “smart drug”. As well as being popular amongst people working shifts, this treatment is commonly used off label by students, business leaders and people looking for a competitive edge.
For more information on cutting edge cognitive enhancers head to ukmedsfast.com.
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