Shift Work Sleep Disorder
As some people have to work day and night shifts, they tend to suffer from sleeping disorders. Even a CPAP machine which aids proper breathing for people diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, cannot guarantee in falling asleep easily as a person may also suffer from SWSD or shift work sleep disorder.
A person who works in unusual shifts during the night is more likely to suffer from SWSD. shift work sleep disorder is a kind of sleep disorder which results from constant disruption of normal sleep patterns.
It is a fact that a human body is adjusted to the so called circadian rhythm in which we need to sleep at night and be awake during the day.
In the United States, it was revealed that out of nearly twenty million people whose works are on work shifts, 25 percent of them experience SWSD. Unfortunately, most shift workers are having difficulty in adjusting the work in their system while some others do not learn to adjust at all.
If you work on night shift, you must be vigilant of the symptoms of SWSD. Some apparent symptoms are lethargy, insomnia, frequent headaches and difficulty in concentration.
What to do if you have Shift Work Sleep Disorder
If you suspect you have SWSD, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. It is a wise idea to ask for treatments as SWSD may cause accidents, depression and sickness. Just a caution, do not take any drug which is not prescribed by your physician.
Working in shifts is not a hopeless case. You can still do something about it. For instance, do not work rotating shifts like this, 4 pm to 12 pm, then 8 am to 4pm of another day and then 12 am to 8 am. You will surely find it hard to adjust. Working the same night shift regularly is advisable in order to give your body an opportunity to adjust.
Also, make sure to have a quality sleep during daytime. A simple technique is for you to wear dark glasses on your way home from work.
This is to stimulate sleeping. You have to maintain your sleeping pattern and stick to it on a regular schedule seven days a week. Likewise, you have to discuss your situation with your family so that they will cooperate in providing you a quiet environment conducive for sleeping.