Cancer Prevention: For years, cancer surgeons have been talking about the side effects of night or rotational shifts on the body’s circadian rhythm.
In a recently shared video on Instagram, leading cancer healer weighs in opinion on how night shifts and rotational schedules could severely impact the body’s natural rhythms, resulting in severe health issues.
Cancer Prevention-Are Night Shifts Dangerous For Your Body?
Night shifts and rotational schedules could mess with your body’s circadian rhythm, the internal clock of the body that regulates metabolism, sleep and hormones. Fixed night shifts could lead to steady disruption such as constant suppression of melatonin (the sleep hormone) while rotating schedules could add unpredictability, worsening sleep quality.
Common Side Effects
Shift work could trigger Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD), with symptoms like insomnia, daytime sleepiness, poor focus and irritability. When left untreated for long, it could hamper work safety and daily life.
Digestive issues could also be hit hard with shift work as irregular meal timings could lead to acid reflux, obesity and gut complications. Night workers tend to face higher blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease risk. On the other hand, mental health issues may arise causing brain fog, depression, fatigue and burnout.
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Long-term night work could also strain the body’s cardiovascular system via poor diet, sleep loss and stress. Moreover, it could impair glucose metabolism by as much as 25-40 percent while increasing the risk of obesity. Over time, this could increase the risk of cancer (carcinoma) such as prostate, lung and breast cancer.
Ideally, you should prioritize sleep by avoiding caffeine post-shift, creating healthy sleep hygiene and engaging in active lifestyle and regular exercises.
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides general information only. It is not a substitute for a qualified medical opinion in any way. The methods and claims mentioned in this article should be considered as suggestions only; DNP India neither confirms nor denies them. Always consult a doctor before following any such suggestions/treatments/medications/diets.
