My brother works in a BPO (call center) coz the pay is good, but I am worried...should he quit these night shifts? he is only 22 years old n is complaining of pain in the knees..also weak eye-sight...Please advise, I will appreciate your valued answers.
2006-10-30 21:37:57 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Yes...because he is detached from the "natural sleep cycle".He has to change the job.
2006-10-30 21:40:07 · answer #1 · answered by saumitra s 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lots of good answers here, hope they help!
The one thing I had difficulty with on night shifts was light levels. They really do make a difference to the body, and what levels of hormones your body produces. I use a light box to help me with the shift work, turning it on for about half an hour when I awake to help me wake up. Granted it isn't the same as sunshine, but it does do something towards helping the body clock keep in order.
Your brother's knees are probably due to working in a sitting down job. There are lots of exercises he can do in his seat, whilst working, that can help alleviate that, but I'd recommend seeing a doctor first and checking that's ok and it's not anything else. The only difference between a sit-down day job and a sit-down night job is quite often, people on night shifts have not slept properly or long enough, which will affect how his joints feel (and everything else!). Quality of sleep is key.
Also, has he been checked ergonomically that his chair, desk and computer screen are all at the right height? It could be that he simply is reacting to a workspace that is not correctly set out for him. Weak eye sight could be to do with staring at a screen all day (night!) which is the same in any office job. Look up "ergonomics" and "using a VDU" on google to get ideas of little exercises he can do with his eyes to help.
And lastly, I'm not a doctor, so def. get him some medical advice from a doctor to see if there's anything else going that could be causing it - he won't regret spending the money or taking the time out to do it.
All the best to you both! :-)
2006-10-31 08:57:15 · answer #2 · answered by Nadya 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's actually getting enough sleep, it shouldn't be a problem. Many people work night shifts for years without a problem, but they reverse their internal clocks so daytime is like our night. Just getting some rest won't do it - he needs a minimum of 5 hours' sleep a night (day); around 8 would be best. Studies have shown that the threshhold for sleep deprivation is right around 5 hours unbroken.
Pain in the knees could be caused by other things though...is he particularly heavy? Is he lifting and carrying things around all day? He may need to talk to a doctor or look at how he's lifting if that's the case. Weak eyesight is also pretty easy to fix - have an eye exam. If there's a medical problem with his eyes (besides maybe needing glasses), the eye doctor will be able to identify it.
2006-10-31 05:42:00 · answer #3 · answered by bks33691 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually it's switching from day to night shift, then switching back again that causes the problems. Sticking to one shift whether day or night is fine. Likely his ailments are due to the fact that he has to sit so long and he probably doesn't get much exercise on his off time. His eyesight is likely strained from staring at a computer screen, fact of life these days unfortunately.
He needs to move around, tough with a sit down job but he can get up and move by his desk. This is a problem a lot of call centers are addressing and some have put exercise machines in the break rooms to help out.
2006-10-31 05:43:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have enough sleep then your body will be fine. But you may suffer acute depression from always being in the dark. Also there's a substance in the air during the early morning hours that's important for happiness, if you lack that then...and you might have to reconsider your social life. Regarding the weak knees (could be from sitting for long hours, he should try to stretch and stand more often) and eyesight (nothing that glasses or contacts can't fix), I don't think those have to do with working night shift, he should visit a doctor to make sure he doesn't have a serious condition.
2006-10-31 06:17:42 · answer #5 · answered by Smart Blonde 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really as long as he has the minimum 8 hours of sleep. But his biological clock will have to adjust of course. and that is what makes it difficult. We are meant to sleep at night and do work in the day. The poor eye sight and pain in the knees maybe caused by other diseases. Have his blood tested for blood uric acid, etc. It would also help if he consults an ophthalmologists...Poor eye sight maybe cause by lack of vitamin A. So he can take in vitamins too.
2006-10-31 05:52:22 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's faving problems then he should definately quit. Generally it takes a while, months or even years for the body to get used to, adjusted to irregular sleeping patterns. However, there are some people who have worked night shifts for years and are fine.
If your work starts at midnight, try to sleeping in the evenings might be a better idea when there's enough darkness. Taking coffee is not advised and working in a bright area is not advised also while working durring the night.
2006-10-31 05:42:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It shouldn't cause any visible problems but my dr said that automatically takes 10yrs off your life. we're not meant to stay awake when it's dark outside. if he keeps the schedule all week long he should sleep better. The problem is when you try to go back to sleeping on the weekend like a normal person. I'm on vacation and I wakeup 1:00 am every night and stay awake till the afternoon. He should see a dr about the eyesight that shouldn't have anything to do w/ working at night except that flourescent lighting isn't good for your eyes.
2006-10-31 05:43:57 · answer #8 · answered by uknowme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not natural to work night shifts. A human's body is programmed to sleep at night and it takes a while for the body to adjust to such a change.
If your brother gets plenty of uninterrupted sleep durning the day, he should be fine. He should have no adverse reactions to his health.
The problems begins when there is not time for family, spending the money he's earning, or himself. It begins to wear you down both physically and emotionally.
There has to be a fine balance to ensure he is getting enough sleep and enough time for him.
2006-10-31 05:43:43 · answer #9 · answered by Older Sister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work shift work, which means I rotate between shifts. I work six day shifts, off two, seven evening shifts, off two, seven midnight shifts, off four. I've been doing it for 22 years. I'm 52 and I feel fine. The secret to shift work is to go to bed when you're supposed to go to bed. I've seen men and women who will sacrifice their sleep to take their kid to a ball game, etc. Go ahead if you want to, but it'll kill you. I learned early to go home and go to bed. My wife and kids have no problem with it. I even bought a camper to sleep in when I'm on midnights. That way they don't have to be quiet.
2006-10-31 05:52:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think, it makes a difference. Night is meant for resting. Our body is conditioned like that. We are working against nature, while doing the job all through night and resting at day.
2006-10-31 06:01:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋