More than three million people in the UK work night shifts, which can significantly impact their health. A recent study found that disrupted sleep patterns are linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and mental illness. In fact, every sleepless night can measurably raise amyloid levels in the fluid surrounding the brain, with repeated disruptions potentially leading to Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists are now exploring new ways to mitigate the effects of night shifts. One promising approach is to split sleep into two blocks, rather than attempting to force one long stretch during the day. This method may be more effective for night shift workers, who struggle to sleep during the day due to their internal clocks being out of sync.
According to Prof Hugh Markus, a neurologist at the University of Cambridge, disrupting the glymphatic system that cleans the brain can lead to serious health problems. 'Disruption of that flow was playing an important role in predicting who would get dementia, in large numbers of people in the normal population,' he says.
The strain of shift work is not solely about being tired, but about repeatedly disrupting a system that's doing far more behind the scenes than many people realise. By taking control of their sleep, night shift workers may be able to alleviate some of the ill-effects of disrupted nights.