American Sleep Association
The American Sleep Association aims to improve public health by increasing awareness about the importance of sleep and the dangers of sleep disorders as well as support other organizations that share its objective.
Shift Work Sleep Disorder
Helping you sleep well and stay alert during work
You have shift work sleep disorder when working second or third shift leads to sleep problems such as insomnia (the inability to sleep).
Unusual schedules disrupt your body’s circadian rhythm (the timing of your body’s natural needs during the day). The production of hormones and other chemicals in your brain that drive you to eat and sleep determine this timing. External factors, such as sunlight influence circadian rhythms.
When your body senses night time, it puts into motion the processes to make you fall asleep. Working night shift means you have to ignore the cues your body sends you to tell you to fall asleep.
This can make you drowsy during work, putting you at higher risk for accidents. In addition, you may have difficulty falling asleep in the morning. The sunlight and activity of other people send cues to your brain to awaken.
How We Can Help
Highly-skilled Sleep Disorders physicians at Indiana University Health will strive to help you sleep well and stay alert during work. Your physicians will focus on keeping you well, and understanding the health and safety risks associated with poor sleep. They will share their expertise with you to improve the quality of your sleep and if needed, provide prescriptions for medications.
Overview
When your body senses night time, it puts into motion the processes to make you fall asleep. Working night shift means you have to ignore the cues your body sends you to tell you to fall asleep.
This can make you drowsy during work, putting you at higher risk for accidents. In addition, you may have difficulty falling asleep in the morning. The sunlight and activity of other people send cues to your brain to awaken.
How We Can Help
Highly-skilled Sleep Disorders physicians at Indiana University Health will strive to help you sleep well and stay alert during work. Your physicians will focus on keeping you well, and understanding the health and safety risks associated with poor sleep. They will share their expertise with you to improve the quality of your sleep and if needed, provide prescriptions for medications.
IU Health sleep disorders physicians treat and diagnose shift work sleep disorder through the following services:
Medical history
Our physicians take a thorough medical history to rule out any other sleep disorders that may cause your sleep issues, such as insomnia, narcolepsy or sleep apnea. In most cases, a few simple questions can rule out these problems, though you may need additional testing through overnight sleep studies.
Education
Making lifestyle changes and following good sleep hygiene may help you sleep better between shifts. To sleep during the day, you need a quiet, dark and cool room that mimics a nighttime environment. What you eat and drink before going to sleep can also contribute to your quality of sleep. Many workers eat breakfast with their families, but that may make falling asleep more difficult. Whether you sleep during the day or at night, a healthy diet and regular exercise improves your quality of sleep. Alcohol and tobacco may also cause sleep problems.
Establishing a set schedule every day, even on days you do not work, allows you to fall asleep easier and improves your energy at work. Other behavioral changes, like avoiding caffeine and nicotine close to your bedtime, could assist you in improving the quality of your sleep.
Medicine Therapy
If shift work sleep disorder affects your job performance, our physicians may prescribe you medications to stay awake at work or fall asleep more easily at home. These sleep aids can ensure you fall asleep and stay asleep. However, we do not recommend relying on them for an extended time. They provide short-term solutions to help you transition your sleeping patterns. Stimulant medications change the balance of certain chemicals in your brain to help you stay awake. Taken every day, they can improve your alertness, keeping you safe on the job.
Treatment
IU Health sleep disorders physicians treat and diagnose shift work sleep disorder through the following services:
Medical history
Our physicians take a thorough medical history to rule out any other sleep disorders that may cause your sleep issues, such as insomnia, narcolepsy or sleep apnea. In most cases, a few simple questions can rule out these problems, though you may need additional testing through overnight sleep studies.
Education
Making lifestyle changes and following good sleep hygiene may help you sleep better between shifts. To sleep during the day, you need a quiet, dark and cool room that mimics a nighttime environment. What you eat and drink before going to sleep can also contribute to your quality of sleep. Many workers eat breakfast with their families, but that may make falling asleep more difficult. Whether you sleep during the day or at night, a healthy diet and regular exercise improves your quality of sleep. Alcohol and tobacco may also cause sleep problems.
Establishing a set schedule every day, even on days you do not work, allows you to fall asleep easier and improves your energy at work. Other behavioral changes, like avoiding caffeine and nicotine close to your bedtime, could assist you in improving the quality of your sleep.
Medicine Therapy
If shift work sleep disorder affects your job performance, our physicians may prescribe you medications to stay awake at work or fall asleep more easily at home. These sleep aids can ensure you fall asleep and stay asleep. However, we do not recommend relying on them for an extended time. They provide short-term solutions to help you transition your sleeping patterns. Stimulant medications change the balance of certain chemicals in your brain to help you stay awake. Taken every day, they can improve your alertness, keeping you safe on the job.
National Sleep Foundation
This website includes sleep tools, problems, and the science behind sleep.
Resources
American Sleep Association
The American Sleep Association aims to improve public health by increasing awareness about the importance of sleep and the dangers of sleep disorders as well as support other organizations that share its objective.
National Sleep Foundation
This website includes sleep tools, problems, and the science behind sleep.