What are the long term ramifications of working overnights?

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   buckey777posted 12 years ago

   What are the long term ramifications of working overnights?
   
   Will working overnight shifts for an extended period of time affect your health?

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2. 60

   leros003posted 12 years ago

   I would think depression would be part of the equation.  While working over night, you are not only changing your entire sleeping pattern, but you are also staying anti social.

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   msorenssonposted 12 years ago

   The body has a rhythm..work by day, awake, and sleep by night..this would be the best..
   I am sure the body will readjust to the natural rhythm again....

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4. 78

   go-barbara-goposted 12 years ago

   a person has to follow his biological clock, failure to do so especially for a long period would alter his physiological processes. The interrupted inter-cellular reaction within the body can then cause some malfunctions. As it affects the physiological aspect, then we can expect more then physical ramifications, but emotional consequence too. Per experience, I have gone through insomnia, slower metabolism, extreme back pains, and extreme mood swings. These can be caused by other aspects too, but in my case it went away almost instantly after I stopped working at night.

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5. 85

   Express10posted 12 years ago

   Sleepiness, insomnia, increased chances of weight gain, heart disease, etc. are just a few side effects. Night workers are often reaching for foods that are not healthy as a way to save time, effort, or simply because that's all available to them. Our bodies were made to rise and sleep on a completely different schedule.
   
   I had this type of work experience and it was difficult because I literally had to choose sleeping during the day or getting things various done at that expense of sleep. Night work can affect the relationships you have with others if your schedules conflict and you can't see them or interact with them like you used.

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      buckey777posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the answer, I've been working over nights for close to 3 years now. 10pm-6am 5 nights a week. I have noticed being a bit more sleepy and the insomnia comes and goes but was curious as to what else could be expected. Thanks!

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6. 44

   unknown spyposted 12 years ago

   I personally experienced working on a graveyard shift for almost 2 years.. 10PM - 7Am, sometimes 11Pm to 8AM extending until 11AM until you finish your work..  maybe you can check my Hub
   
   http://unknownspy.hubpages.com/hub/Vampires-Life
   
   this is what happened when you try ti force Circadian rhythm to work counter clockwise.

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7. 57

   kdawsonposted 12 years ago

   I worked nights for a decade and noticed no effects at all.  This is an imaginary problem.

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      go-barbara-goposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow! You should be happy about it. But physiological mechanism differs from human to human. One works well for the others but not for some.

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   2. 76

      buckey777posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's been 3 years for me now, it seems that it rather differs from individual to individual. From what was listed from before I think over nighting for another 10 years shouldn't be a problem as long as I only still have the sleepiness and insomnia.

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   Mercia Collinsposted 12 years ago

   I worked nights for 25 years. It is far from an imaginary problem. Forcing your body to do something so unnatural has huge effects on the body and mind.
   There are a long list of effects of night work,
   
   Digestive problems Ulcers, depression and other mental problems, insomnia, metabolic problems and weight gain, heart disease, stokes, sleeplessness. memory and other psychological problems are just a few of the risks.

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