Work Shift Disorder May Plague Those Who Work Non-Traditional Hours

We adjust our clocks twice a year to align our bodies with daylight hours, but what about the millions of Americans who work non-traditional hours? Sleep Specialist Dr. Michael Thorpy stopped to explain. Dr. Thorpy is a board-certified in sleep disorders medicine, is Director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

Shift work disorder occurs when a person's internal body clock that helps regulate their sleep and wake cycle is out of sync with their work schedule.

It can lead to excessive sleepiness during waking hours or trouble sleeping during sleeping hours. Add to this the fact that with the current economy, more Americans are working more non-traditional hours than usual, and chances are that you or someone you know may be suffering from shift work disorder. The good news is that the symptoms of shift work disorder can be treated.

NUVIGIL was launched in the United States in June 2009 and is indicated to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with shift work sleep disorder. It is also indicated to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and narcolepsy.

Although NUVIGIL is indicated to treat the symptom of excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder, it is not indicated to treat the actual condition of shift work disorder itself or other associated symptoms, conditions and consequences

People can change behaviors to help manage the symptoms of shift work disorder, including:
1. Using bright lights during nighttime hours that may help to diminish drowsiness and improve wakefulness levels.
2. Taking occasional naps to improve wakefulness and performance.
3. Maintaining bedtime and wake time schedule and avoiding caffeinated beverages and foods close to bedtime

For more tips and treatments on shift work disorder, log onto www.montefiore.org.