Shift work: how do the patients cope with it and what should they do?

Purpose: Shift work disorders (SWD) are caused by the divergence between external requirements concerning sleep-wake cycles during the day and the preferred time of sleep arising from our biological clock. Their symptoms include excessive sleepiness during working hours as well as sleep disorders, deterioration of functioning and numerous adverse health consequences. Case description: Shift work disorders treatment involves the implementation of behavioural interventions in order to promote activity during working hours, improve sleep quality and adapt the endogenous sleep-wake rhythm to a shift work schedule. The pharmacological treatment of SWD involves the use of melatonin or melatoninergic drugs. Comment: The purpose of this article is to present the impact of shift work on health and daily functioning as well as to discuss the treatment methods.