{"id":13251,"date":"2021-03-25T05:28:41","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T09:28:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/?p=13251"},"modified":"2021-04-04T21:46:38","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T01:46:38","slug":"night-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/night-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Working Night Shift Cause Sleep Apnea?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, but this is at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclosure<\/strong><\/a> and <\/em>privacy statement<\/strong><\/em><\/a> for more info.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today’s world, working night shifts is a common way of running a business as companies try to be of service twenty-four hours, seven days a week. And for the most part, it can work really well for business operations! However, with constant shifts and consequently a lack of sleep, problems start to arise. 70% of U.S adults report insufficient sleep at least one night a month and at the same time, 11% have inadequate sleep every night. (source<\/a>) Employees can start developing debilitating sleep disorders, for which sleep apnea can be very dangerous if left unchecked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In isolation, night shift work won’t cause sleep apnea. Chronic breathing issues may arise when sleep deprived, as there is greater pressure on the heart and lungs. However, night workers with existing sleep apnea may experience worsening symptoms such as; frequent breathing pauses and lower oxygen saturation levels during sleep.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As we’ve talked about many times here, our bodies have an inbuilt timer that associates light with activity or work and darkness with sleep. People, like us, <\/em>who work night shifts tend to go against this finely inbuilt clock or circadian rhythm, with our body and brains going a little stir crazy as a result, as it constantly tries to realign itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This constant re-jig process can make sleeping very difficult for us, which I’m sure I don’t need to tell you twice! <\/em>So, stick with me as we explore all things sleep apnea and its link with night shift. Are you at a higher risk? If so what can we do about it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a quick introduction – sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder where breathing stops and starts repeatedly\u2014most people with sleep apnea snore when sleeping and never get restful sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the day, you experience fatigue even though you\u2019ve had a whole night\u2019s sleep. Sounding familiar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a brief description of what happens when we breath – in those shift workers without sleep apnea<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically when breathing, air goes down our throats to the windpipe, then the lungs. When we are wide awake, all the muscles in our throats are wide open, even the narrowest of them. But when sleeping, these muscles relax. Sometimes the air passing through the throat forces itself in and causes vibration, which brings about snoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some other people though, the narrow path at the back of the throat closes completely, and the lungs get no air. Mostly this happens because the brain fails to send a message to the throat muscles to open up. As a result, the brain quickly activates the muscles by waking you up and letting air into the lungs. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Most times, the wake happens in a way that we don\u2019t even notice it. Afterward, the brain goes back to sleep, and this happens again over and over. Due to the disturbed sleep, you won\u2019t get into that deep sleep that brings about rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Sleep Apnea <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are common main varieties of sleep apnea: <\/p>\n\n\n\n