Health dangers of working the night shift

Shortly before I began my osteopathy studies I took a job working nights in a nursing home. I lasted just three weeks in that job before I realized that night shifts were not good for my health. In my career as a health professional I have treated many clients who had worked night shifts for years with obvious negative health effects.

In a study of female nurses, working a night shift increased their risk of type 2 diabetes.

Working a night shift periodically for three years increased diabetes risk by 20 percent, and this increased to 58 percent among those who worked the night shift for 20 years or more.

Irregular sleep-wake cycles may interfere with your body’s blood-sugar metabolism, leading to insulin resistance and increased blood-sugar levels, both of which are linked to diabetes.

If possible, avoid night shift work to protect your health. If you can’t avoid it, keep to a schedule so your body’s clock will eventually adjust to your sleep/wake cycle.

When sleeping during the day, it’s important to keep your bedroom as dark as possible to simulate nighttime. Your body releases important hormones in response to exposure to light and darkness.

Dominick Hussey

Osteopath and Functional Medicine Practitioner

Osteopathy and Functional Medicine

Ottawa Health Wellness Centre