Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD)

People who work different shifts and who work at night may have shift work disorder (SWSD). According to the Cleveland Clinic, up to 40% of people who work different shifts might have this disorder. Symptoms may include: n Trouble sleeping n Sleepiness n Difficulty concentrating when awake n Headaches n Lack of energy

According to the Cleveland Clinic, people with SWSD are also prone to: n Accidents and making errors at work n Dependency on drugs and alcohol n Irritability or mood issues n Gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and metabolic health conditions

Treatments may include: n Aiming for 7 to 9 hours of sleep a day n Making sleep a priority n Limiting the number of night shifts in a row to 5 or fewer n Having days off in between shifts n Avoiding long commutes if possible n Practicing good sleep hygiene, which includes sticking to a sleep schedule and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol and nicotine n Napping before starting a night shift n Getting exposure to light during the early part of your shift n Keeping a sleep diary to identify your problem and monitor your progress

If you live with others, ask them to respect your sleep time by keeping their voices down, not running noisy appliances such as the vacuum or dishwasher while you’re trying to sleep, and wearing headphones when they’re watching television or listening to music when you’re sleeping.

As a last resort for SWSD, you may want to talk to your health care provider about the use of prescription sleep aids.