As if we needed another reason to question the dubious benefits of shiftwork, it appears that some new studies now suggest that people, who are having difficulty regulating their circadian systems, and those with sleep disorders, are at greater risk of developing diabetes. And if sleep deprivation accelerates or increases the risk of diabetes, what does it do for those who already have it?
There is a diabetes epidemic in the western hemisphere, and it undoubtedly is related to variety of causes, including diet, exercise (of lack of it), our way of life, or genetic predispositions. It now appears that sleep habits join the ranks of these culprits.
Approximately one out of every three people have problems sleeping almost every night. As we've discussed before, sleep problems can cause a host of physical and psychological problems. Studies come out almost every day to verify that fact.
In a recent experiment yet to be published, healthy young peopled were allowed to sleep only four hours per night. The result was an increase in their "insulin resistance." This means that their bodies needed to increase insulin production in order to regulate their blood sugar levels. Imagine what poor sleep could do to someone who already has diabetes. Their insulin production system is already quite strained, and lack of sleep certainly doesn't help.
The researchers also fine-tuned the sleep deprivation; comparing insulin resistance between those who received 6 ½ hours sleep with those sleeping 7 ½ hours. Even this minor difference resulted in the increased insulin resistance with those who slept only 6 ½ hours.
So, if you are having trouble regulating your blood sugar (pre-diabetic?) or are already suffering from diabetes, a good night's sleep is crucial. Which makes working nights quite hazardous.
The issue of drug therapy for these and other sleep conditions continues to surface, and it should be pointed out once again that this alternative should only be considered with the input from your physician. Melatonin may be helpful for those having difficulty regulating their circadian clocks, and other drugs such as Provigil (still undergoing testing) and the herb remedy Valerian (in use for many years to assist relaxation and sleep) may be helpful in allowing people to get a full night's sleep. But many of the tests for these drugs are inconclusive and contradict each other.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Stephen Weistling's Shift Work topic, please visit the Discussions page.