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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Sleep Disorder

Hi, I have a question about sleep/sleep deprivation. I have been on night shift for a few weeks and so my sleep schedule dramatically changed. I feel really depressed now that I stay up all night and sleep during the day. Does the sleep schedule change affect hormones?
Fri, 21 Nov 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello Welcome to HCM

Continuous night shifts for long time result in shift of sleep rhythm of brain. This causes change in hormone levels of melatonin which is a sleep hormone. This results in shift worker sleep disorder. Individuals tend to sleep during day hours because of that.
Best treatment for this disorder is light therapy. Bright lights during day time and darkness during night help to improve the condition.
Melatonin agonist drugs like ramelteon help to correct melatonin hormone secretion and help in improvement.
Improving sleep hygiene also help in this disorder.

Hope this helps you, consult a Psychiatrist if condition persists.

Thanks
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Psychiatrist Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic

It is very common in nightshift workers to develop sleep disorders later in life when shift change occurs. Night shifts for prolonged times result in change or shift of sleep rhythm and time of secretion of sleep hormone melatonin also changes. This results in insomnia in usual time of sleep and ultimately cause significant distress and depression. First of all I would advise you to improve your sleep hygiene.
Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee in evening.
Brisk walk in evening will help.
Take warm water bath in evening.
Use your bed for sleeping only and don't watch TV or read on bed.
Even avoid using cell phone on bed.

Apart from that medicines like Melatonin agonists as Ramelteon have very good results in correcting altered sleep rhythm. Consult a Psychiatrist for details of treatment. Low dose benzodiazepines Clonazepam, Alprazolam or Z-drugs like Zolpidem can also prove useful for short term management.

Thanks, hope this helps you
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Suggest Remedy For Sleep Disorder

Hello Welcome to HCM Continuous night shifts for long time result in shift of sleep rhythm of brain. This causes change in hormone levels of melatonin which is a sleep hormone. This results in shift worker sleep disorder. Individuals tend to sleep during day hours because of that. Best treatment for this disorder is light therapy. Bright lights during day time and darkness during night help to improve the condition. Melatonin agonist drugs like ramelteon help to correct melatonin hormone secretion and help in improvement. Improving sleep hygiene also help in this disorder. Hope this helps you, consult a Psychiatrist if condition persists. Thanks