Late nights on patrol and irregular shifts increase sleep disorders in America's finest.

About 40% of almost 5000 police officers in the U.S. and Canada screened positive for at leat one sleep disorder, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea (33.6%). Those with a sleep disorder were more likely to make adminstrative errors, not show up for work, fall asleep while driving, and to lash out at suspects. Surprisingly, almost 80% were overweight or obese. Late nights, odd schedules and extended shifts probably contribute to these findings. This study suggests that all shift-workers could be at risk for similar problems.

PositiveTip: If shift work is a part of your life, do all you can to get adequate quality sleep on a regular basis.

Sleepy docs experience 2X more lapses of attention than when rested.

Do you perform at your best when you are sleep deprived? None of us do, including our healthcare providers, according to a sentinel event alert from the Joint Commission. When residents work recurring 24 hours shifts, there were 36% more adverse events than when they worked only 16 hours at a time. They also made five times the number of significant diagnostic mistakes. 

PositiveTip: Adequate sleep is necessary for optimal performance. No one can claim an exception!

Irregular schedules raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Women who worked at least three night shifts per month (in addition to days and evenings in the same month) for 20 or more years experienced a 58% increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes compared with those who did not rotate shifts. Those who had less than 10 years of rotating shifit work experienced a 5% increase, while the risk rose to 40% among those with 10-19 years. This data comes from the Nurses Health Study I and II and was adjusted for weight gain and smoking.

PositiveTip: Regularity in life seems to afford significant benefits. Choosing to avoid the unecessary disruptions is good for your health!

Misalignment between circadian rhythm and behavioral rhythm may increase disease risk.

Shift workers younger than 40 years of age were found to have significantly higher levels of cortisol ("stress" hormone) compared to their day worker counterparts. This small Dutch study also found that shift workers weighed significantly more. These observations could place them at higher risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

PositiveTip: The lack of regularity in life, along with working outside of standard hours, may raise risks of disease. If possible, avoid these shifts.