Male Organ Health Could Be Impacted by Shift Work

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Male Organ Health Could Be Impacted by Shift Work The 9-to-5 job is part of the American dream, but the reality is that many people have jobs that don’t fit in the traditional framework. Many people are non-standard shift workers, meaning they start work when others are ending, usually working sometime between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. Men who fall into this category should be aware of a possible increased risk of male organ health issues compared to their brethren who work more traditional hours. Shift work How many people work this kind of non-standard work? One study suggests that up to 20% of the labor force falls into this category. That includes about three million people who work the “graveyard shift,” starting work at 11:00 p.m. or later. The range of people doing non-standard shift work includes nurses, bakers, policemen, technical support workers, salespeople, computer programmers, financial advisors, factory workers, miners and many other occupations. There are often many advantages associated with this kind of work. For example, many people who are enrolled in college work shifts, as do many parents who are therefore able to spend time during the day watching their young children. And in some cases, the pay for shift work is better than the pay for the same job during “regular” hours. Downsides But there are downsides to shift work. Working “atypical” hours can affect the natural circadian rhythms, which can in turn affect how long and how deeply a person sleeps. Many shift workers are more tired than others, which can translate into accidents on the job, at home or on the road. And shift work is associated with other health conditions. For example, shift workers tend to be at greater risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcers, depression, cognitive impairment, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

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