Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

re: Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

paulanne — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:57:28 GMT

I don't disbelieve the need for sleeping in the dark, but what is the solution to the need for night shift workers? I am a volunteer EMT with my fire department, and I need to help people on some nights, and am awakened from my sleep. I know that hospitals need night workers. What do you think?

re: Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

EQ — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:07:51 GMT

I did not renew a 3 year contract job in the entertainment industry partially because of the night hours. I was living in the sunny desert Southwest and minimally saw the sun. Las Vegas is not exactly known for supporting health, but I did everything I knew to support mine. I've got a good name on my resume, and I think I got out soon enough to save my health.

re: Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

4Hand Healthy — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:54:22 GMT

It's not natural to stay awake all night.Our bodies were created to rest at night and work (or whatever) during the day. I believe any major deviation from this upsets the natural order of things.

re: Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

Aaltrude — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 18:59:02 GMT

While I was working in a hospital lab we had one young woman who did a permanently did the grave yard shift four nights per week. We often commented on how she never looked healthy and had frequent sick days.

re: Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

Islander — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:34:53 GMT

THE USE OF "UP" AS A VERB: DON'T THAT JUST FROST MY CUPCAKES! IT SURE UPS MY BLOOD PRESSURE, AND THAT'S A HEALTH HAZARD!

I can excuse it in newspaper headlines where space is at a premium - but not here!

re: Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

mmc88121 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:23:27 GMT

They are many things that contribute to the ill health of night shift workers. I would say that the disruption of the circadian rhythm is only one thing. Improper diet ,and lack of social contact, and lack of adequate sleep would be a few of the contributing factors.

Mary

re: Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

Russ Bianchi — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:42:15 GMT

Read the life expectancy actuarial numbers, grave yard shift workers live much less time (no sun or vitamin D).

Hence the name: GRAVE YARD!

re: Working the Graveyard Shift Ups Your Cancer Risk

foxtroter_203 — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:54:20 GMT

It is scary how long it takes common sense and research to actually be paid attention to. I remember reading research papers on the effects of graveyard shifts causing cancer, heart disease, diabetes and psychiatric disorders 35 years ago. The study was done on police officers and hospital workers.

35 years ago it was recommended that you stay on a particular shift for at least 2 months at a time. Always keep the same sleep cycle (don't sleep differently on days off to be with the rest of humanity). Keep room darkened when sleeping during the day.

If memory serves me correctly, many circadian rhythm cycles (body temperature cycles, hormonal cycles etc.) took at least two weeks on average to adjust to the new light/dark cycle. Some people never did adjust even during the two month period, however.