Rotational Shift Workers Health Disorders, Risk Factor, Prevention (2024)

FAQs

Why are rotating shift workers at higher risk for diseases? ›

Such work schedules disrupt the biological circadian rhythm and natural sleep-wake cycles. This disruption may cause significant consequences. A growing body of evidence shows a connection between shift work and numerous hazardous health outcomes, including both physical and mental health conditions.

There is good evidence that shift work is related to serious health issues, such as increased obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, stomach and digestive disorders, ulcers, fertility issues, depression, higher risk of family and social problems, and an increased risk of workplace or motor vehicle accidents ...

Rotating shifts can disrupt the circadian rhythm, a 24-hour cycle that controls sleep-wake cycles, digestion, and the release of hormones. This can have several health implications for workers.

Disadvantages of rotating shifts

Some workers prefer consistent fixed work schedules and plan their life around them. Putting such workers in rotating shifts disturb their lives. Keeping track of the rotating shifts and scheduling other tasks of the day needs regular attention.

Shift work that alters your circadian rhythm can disrupt the balance of your hormones, which guide your metabolism. Shift work increases your risk for metabolic disorders because it's associated with: Higher BMI than day-shift workers. Hormonal imbalance, which affects your appetite, food intake and body weight.

In general, clockwise shift rotations should be used (day–evening–night). Ideally, a rotational schedule should include no more than 3 night shifts in a block, with 3 days of recuperation after the night shift work. In general, 8-hour shifts are preferable to 12-hour shifts.

People who work shifts face a 22 percent greater chance of developing depression than those who work a regular daytime schedule, according to research published in the journal JAMA Network Open This link will open in a new tab.. They also may be drawn to smoking as a coping mechanism, with 32% of shift workers.

Shift work can kill you 15 years sooner, warns Whoop's chief scientist, while dramatically raising your risk for depression and suicide. Essential staff who work night shifts are more vulnerable to mental health issues.

How do you survive rotating shifts? ›

A person working night shift, which causes disruption to the circadian rhythm, is at greater risk of various disorders, accidents and misfortunes, including: Increased likelihood of obesity. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Higher risk of mood changes.

That said, it is possible to retrain your body to sleep during the day and stay awake during the night. But if this retraining isn't done correctly—or isn't done at all—you can begin to suffer serious medical issues.

Shiftwork and long work hours can result in stress, fatigue, negative mood, discomfort, physiologic dysfunction, and poor health behaviors like overeating, smoking, and lack of exercise.

One of the most devastating disadvantages of job rotation is that your business could take a hit. Because employees are learning new skills, there could be some errors. Customers could become frustrated by confused employees who make mistakes. And if operations don't run smoothly, your bottom line could suffer.

Night shift work increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It disrupts the body's circadian rhythms—the 24-hour internal “clock” that controls when you sleep and wake. Studies have shown that eating at night alters the body's metabolism.

In general, clockwise shift rotations should be used (day–evening–night). Ideally, a rotational schedule should include no more than 3 night shifts in a block, with 3 days of recuperation after the night shift work. In general, 8-hour shifts are preferable to 12-hour shifts.