Circadian Rhythm Disruption Close | Home
  More than 25 million Americans have non-traditional work schedules, and many of these individuals have difficulty sleeping during the day and staying alert on the job at night. Shift workers' struggles are biologically based: Their sleep and work schedules conflict with their biological clocks. The biological clock or circadian rhythm is the fluctuation of sleep-wake states. This fluctuation is generally linked to the 24-hour, daily dark-light cycle. Shift workers attempt to sleep when their bodies tell them to be awake, which often results in chronic sleep loss. Shift workers are more likely than people who keep "traditional" work schedules to experience:
  •  Memory and concentration difficulties and impaired job performance
  •  Stomach problems (especially heartburn and indigestion)
  •  Menstrual irregularities
  •  Colds and flu
  •  Weight gain
  •  High blood pressure and heart problems
  •  Workplace and automobile accidents 

 

For more information on circadian disruption and shift work, click here. 
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