Sleep Disorders in Shift Workers

Speaker 1 0:00

Hello and welcome to another episode of a Healthy Shift podcast , the podcast where we give strategies that help you , the shift worker , thrive and not just survive . I'm your host , roger Sutherland , and today we're tackling a crucial topic that affects many of us working around the clock and that is sleep disorders , and where the medical profession are actually doing us shift workers a disservice . Yep , you heard that right , so strap yourself in . Shift work can be brutal , but it doesn't have to be . Welcome to a Healthy Shift . My name is Roger Sutherland , certified Nutritionist , veteran Law Enforcement Officer and 24-7 Shift Worker for almost four decades . Through this podcast , I aim to educate shift workers , using evidence-based methods , to not only survive the rigours of shift work , but thrive . My goal is to empower shift workers to improve their health and wellbeing so they have more energy to do the things they love . Enjoy today's show . It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and thank you for listening to this episode of the podcast . This is your podcast , our podcast , the podcast where we stick to evidence-based strategies for thriving in shift work environments . I'm your host , roger Sutherland , and today I really want to talk about something that affects many of us and that is sleep disorders and why we need to actually ask more questions around them Now .

Speaker 1 1:44

Shift work is notorious for displacing our sleep opportunities , which leads to a disturbance that can literally wreak havoc on our health . But did you know that clinical sleep disorders are also extremely prevalent among shift workers ? Surprisingly and this is what is massively concerning is , despite the high prevalence , most shift workers don't seek the help that they actually need . So today , what I'm going to do is explore why that is and what there is that can be done about it . We'll look at the prevalence of sleep disorders in shift workers , the impact on the mental and physical health , and why it is essential to screen for these disorders rather than just writing them off as a shift worker because of their work schedule . Now there's been some fantastic research that's been done and recently published by Reynolds et al published in June of 2024 . That's right . This month it is titled Assessment and Management of Sleep Disorders in Shift Workers Challenges and Considerations for General Practice . So what this is doing is it's actually addressing that sleep disorders should not just be written off as shift work by general practitioners , but should realistically be investigated further .

Speaker 1 3:10

So let's get into it the reality of shift work and sleep . First , let's set the stage . Shift work is characterized by displaced sleep opportunities , and this means that our typical sleep patterns are disrupted , which lead to irregular sleep and offer really poor quality rest , and , as a result , many shift workers report sleepiness and other symptoms during their wake times , and these can range from mild irritability to severe cognitive impairment , which affects our performance and also , let's face it , the overall quality of our life . But there is a lot more to this story , and it's not just the erratic hours that are causing these issues . Clinical sleep disorders such as sleep apnea , insomnia and even just restless leg syndrome are also prevalent among shift workers . The kicker the rates of these disorders are similar or even higher than those in just the general population . Whoa , now , the hidden problem is low help-seeking behaviour .

Speaker 1 4:24

Despite these high rates , there's a significant issue , and that is that shift workers are less likely to seek help for their sleep problems . And we've got to ask the question why is that ? And a major reason is the overlap of symptoms . The signs of sleep loss due to shift work , fatigue , difficulty concentrating , mood changes can look very similar to the symptoms of sleep disorders , and this overlap often leads to dangerous assumptions we blame our work schedules and we don't consider the possibility of an underlying sleep disorder . So the importance of diagnosis and treatment and here's where it gets critical . It's a fact that over 40% of middle-aged Australians are living with a sleep disorder . That needs investigation and also needs management . Yet in the shift-working population , these symptoms are often just shrugged off as part of the job , and this mindset can prevent proper diagnosis and treatment or treatment , leading to prolonged suffering and potentially long-term , severe health consequences .

Speaker 1 5:39

Ignoring sleep disorders doesn't just affect your nightly rest . It has far-reaching impacts on mental and physically health . Chronic sleep disorders can lead to issues such as depression and anxiety and cardiovascular diseases , heart attack , stroke and even something as simple as your impaired immune function . So for shift workers , this means a double whammy the inherent challenges of our shift workers plus the untreated sleep disorders . So screening and seeking for help . So what is the solution ? Well , it's very straightforward , but it requires a shift in how we think about our sleep issues .

Speaker 1 6:24

If you're experiencing persistent sleep problems , it's crucial to consider the possibility of a sleep disorder , and screening really should be a priority . And I'm going to give you a few steps that you can actually and should actually take . So number one is to monitor your sleep . Keep yourself a sleep diary and track your sleep patterns and note any irregularities or disturbances and how you're actually feeling during the day . Number two consult a professional . Don't hesitate to seek advice from a healthcare provider . General practitioners can provide an initial screening and then they can actually refer you off to sleep specialists if necessary , and you can also do this under a healthcare plan in Australia . Number three is get a sleep study . In some cases , a sleep study might be required to diagnose conditions like sleep apnea accurately , and this can be done in a sleep clinic or sometimes even just at home . And point number four is if you're getting advice , follow through with the treatment . If you're diagnosed with a sleep disorder , follow that treatment plan . This might include lifestyle changes , cpap for sleep apnea or even just medications certain medications which treat conditions like insomnia or even shift work sleep disorder . So that's the important part .

Speaker 1 8:03

My final thoughts on this is it's time that we actually shift the narrative around sleep in shift worker . Yes , I agree , our work schedules can be extremely challenging , but they shouldn't be a blanket explanation for all sleep-related issues . And by recognising the signs of sleep disorders and then seeking appropriate help , we can improve our sleep quality , health and our overall wellbeing . And remember , thriving as a shift worker isn't just about managing your work schedule . It's about taking a holistic approach to your health , and that includes prioritising good sleep .

Creating a Healthy Shift Community

Speaker 1 8:45

So thank you for joining me on this episode of A Healthy Shift . If you found this information valuable , please share it with your fellow shift workers . Together , we can create a healthier , more informed shift working community . Until next time , stay healthy and stay rested . Thank you for listening . If you enjoyed this episode , be sure to subscribe so you get notified whenever a new episode is released . It would also be ever so helpful if you could leave a rating and review on the app you're currently listening on . If you want to know more about me or work with me , you can go to ahealthyshiftcom . I'll catch you on the next one .