Health

Why shift work is linked to so many health problems such as cancer and diabetes: Study finds it damages 1,500 genes

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2020/10/16 14:56

Today's Vocabulary

1. disruption (n)  
the action of preventing something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected 

2. assess (v)  
to judge or decide the amount, value, quality, or importance of something

3. jet lag (n)
the feeling of tiredness and confusion that people experience after making a long trip by plane to a place where the time is different from the place they left

4. genes (n)
a part of the DNA in a cell that controls the physical development, behavior, etc. of an individual plant or animal and is passed on from its parents

5. rhythm (n)
a strong pattern of sounds, words, or musical notes that is used in music, poetry, and dancing

6. shifts (n)
a group of workers who do a job for a period of time during the day or night, or the period of time itself

Why shift work is linked to so many health problems such as cancer and diabetes: Study finds it damages 1,500 genes

Shift work could damage almost 1,500 genes – explaining why it has been linked to a range of health problems, a study shows. Disruption to the timing of sleep – also caused by jet lag – is feared to increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.

The researchers found disrupting the body’s natural 24 hour cycle disturbed the rhythm of genes. To assess the effect on the body of this disruption, researchers placed 22 participants on a 28-hour day schedule without a natural light-dark cycle.

As a result their sleep-wake cycle was delayed by four hours each day until they were sleeping 12 hours out of sync with a normal day.

The human body is believed to have about 24,000 genes – suggesting more than 1,400 could be vulnerable to a change in sleeping habits.

Professor Dijk said: ‘By disrupting sleep – and eating patterns – we are changing molecular processes by causing disturbances in the rhythm of genes. ‘This research may help us understand the negative health outcomes associated with shift work, jet lag and other conditions in which the rhythms of our genes are disrupted.

‘The results also imply sleep-wake schedules can be used to influence rhythmicity in many biological processes which may be very relevant for conditions in which our body clocks are altered such as in ageing.’

One study showed night shifts triple the risk of heart disease while mental health problems, cancer, depression, diabetes, obesity and strokes have also been linked to poor sleeping habits.

Resource: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2542780/Working-shifts-damage-1-500-genes-New-finding-explain-shift-work-associated-health-problems.html

Discussion
  1. Why do some people prefer working or studying at night?
  2. Are there any advantages to working at night?
  3. What would change in society if no one worked nights?

“Sleep is such a luxury, which I can't afford.”

Robin Sikarwar

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