Light deficits Sleep physicians call for special lighting for night workers

Unhealthy night work: Sleep doctors want special light for those affected
Doorman, bartender, factory worker: In many industries, the night shift is the order of the day. Many of them are struggling with sleep disorders. Their working conditions generally represent an increased health risk. A change in the lighting conditions could improve the situation of those affected.

Night work endangers the health
For years, studies have proven again and again that regular night shifts can lead to health problems. For example, US scientists recently reported that night work is bad for the heart. In addition, previous studies showed that the risk of breast cancer is increased by regular night shifts, as well as diabetes and obesity are promoted.

Almost ten percent of German employees work regularly in night shifts. The night work endangers the health. Sleep doctors are therefore calling for a special light for these employees. (Image: Reinald Döring / fotolia.com)

Special light for people working at night
The German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM) points out in the run-up to its annual meeting in Dresden that it has been scientifically proven "that regular work in night shift makes sick," reports the news agency dpa. According to the sleep doctors, almost ten percent of Germans regularly work in the night shift, which disturbs their "internal clock".

The experts therefore demand a special light for people working at night. According to the DGSM, switching the lighting is an important step against the negative effects on health.

Exchange on the latest findings
According to the DGSM, around 2,000 experts will be discussing night shift work and the latest findings at the Dresden Congress from 1 to 3 December. As the DGSM pointed out, because of the suppression of the dark hormone melatonin it is considered by light to be "probably carcinogenic".

Although sleep with a rotating shift system is reduced after night shifts, the DGSM sees further research needs on the effects of night work.

Improved lighting for workers in night shifts
"With LED technology available today, it should be possible in the future to design luminaires that will improve the attention and concentration of post-shift workers, while at the same time lacking negative health effects," the experts said DGSM.

But there is more that can help sufferers to sleep better. "A healthy diet has a positive effect on sleep," says an earlier DGSM release. "Shift workers should consume meals high in protein and carbohydrates, and refrain from eating hard-to-digest food and fried foods." (Ad)