Working Nights

Have Heartburn during the Nightshift?

A team of researchers recruited 350 people to look at whether their nighttime eating habits predicted their risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Stomach contents (food or liquid) of people suffering from GERD leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. Obesity, cigarettes, and possibly alcohol also increase the chance of GERD.

After controlling for smoking, body mass index and other things that influence heartburn, the researchers found that eating dinner within three hours of going to bed was associated with a sevenfold increase in the risk of reflux symptoms. As for why three to four hours is the threshold, researchers say that is roughly the amount of time it takes for food to clear the stomach.

Researchers from Mid Sweden University performed a systematic review of the medical literature noting studies that have reported gastrointestinal symptoms and diseases among shift workers by researchers from Mid Sweden University. Studies have indicated that shift workers appear to have increased risk of gastrointestinal symptoms and peptic ulcer disease. Workplace noise, increased work schedule variability, and working the evening shift may have the most adverse affect on gastrointestinal functioning.

Here are some suggestions of ways to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine:
• Avoid bending over or exercising just after eating.
• Avoid garments or belts that fit tightly around your waist.
• Do not lie down with a full stomach. For example, avoid eating within 2 – 3 hours of bedtime.
• Do not smoke.
• Eat smaller meals.
• Lose weight, if you are overweight.
• Reduce stress.
• Sleep with your head raised about 6 inches. Do this by tilting your entire bed, or by using a wedge under your body, not just with normal pillows.
© 2011 Circadian Age, Inc. ‘Working Nights’

Seeking a Real Quick Route to Better Health? Eat More Red!

Shift workers are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes as they themselves report getting less exercise and being prone to eating more unhealthy foods, especially when working nights.  As a result, they are often overweight, contributing to heart disease and diabetes.   But, small steps can make a big difference.  The results from three new studies, all promoting the benefits of eating red foods [and drinks], have been released in the past few weeks.  Read this article…

New Study Supports Claims that Oatmeal is Good for Shift Workers!

Numerous studies have indicated that sleep is essential for normal immune system functioning and to maintain the bodies’ ability to fight off disease and sickness. Most shift workers exist in sleep deprived states as a result of only getting 5-6 hours of sleep per 24-hour period.  So, as a result, it’s likely that shift workers’ immune systems are compromised, contributing to more cases of the common cold and flu, but also to chronic health issues many shift workers face – for example, diabetes and heart disease.

At Working Nights, we’re always looking for new solutions to improve shift worker health and wellbeing.  Here’s a new idea…..

Read this article…

Be Careful When and What You Eat, When Working Shift Work – No Greasy Fries and Burgers Anymore! Sorry!

Our bodies circadian rhythms regulate when we should eat, sleep, and be active. However, when we work shift work we don’t allow our bodies to adhere to these regulations, especially when we are working nights. We run around working, when we should be sleeping and inactive, and we eat at night when our bodies are normally shut down and not focused on digestion. We all know it doesn’t help us to maintain our weight when we eat junk food at night while sitting in front of the television. But what causes the problem? Is it the calories in the junk food? Would it make a difference if we chose to nibble on carrots and celery instead? Or is it because we’re eating late at night? A recent study in the journal Obesity, has found that when we eat may be more of a driver of weight gain than what we eat. This obviously has significant impact for shift workers.
Read this article…

Calendar Contest Provides Healthy Benefits for Kids and Adults

BOSTON, MA (July 27, 2009) — ‘Working Nights’ announces an exciting new calendar contest. The 2010 Working Nights Creative Arts Calendar Contest offers organizations the opportunity to create a custom health and safety calendar incorporating winning illustrations or photographs submitted by company employees and their family members. For the full press release click on the link below:

Full Press Release

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Weight, Obesity, Fitness and Health

With shift work, weight gain seems almost unavoidable- perhaps even more reliable than a weekly paycheck. Behind us are our genes, programmed in times of hunting and gathering to push us to see food, grab it, and devour it, since who knows when another fruit tree or dead animal fall into our laps? In front of us living in the 21st century is McDonalds, Dairy Queen, Sonic, Burger King, huge supermarkets, big plates and silverware, lattes, breakfast muffins, cars to carry us from one place of food to another. Furthermore, shift work makes time for exercise difficult. Night shifts sleep, which can cause the body to hang on to extra weight. It’s no wonder obesity has become such a problem. Many news articles talk about the problem, but how can you determine your risk level and what plan of action is right for you? Read this article…

Preventing and Managing Diabetes

Diabetes is on the rise in America, and shift workers are right in its path. Over three quarters of shift workers report not exercising regularly, and almost the same amount can not say they maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. Many cope with the demands of a mixed up sleep schedule and long shifts by drinking cup after cup of caffeine and eating sugary foods to boost energy levels, and yet energy to exercise still stays out of reach. All these factors greatly increase the risk of diabetes, which can be genetic or developed and can strike at any time of life. Night shift and shift work lifestyles bring plenty of health and safety issues along with them, so the individual shift worker is left to manage their health and weight as best they can despite the obstacles. Read this article…

Linking Sleep Loss and Obesity

Results from a 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicate that an estimated 66 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. The same survey indicates that an estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 years are overweight.

Read this article…