Many shift workers have really some troubles when it comes getting the proper amount of sleep. They are often trying really hard to get some sleep when their biological clock (circadian rhythm) and other people are awake and getting busy to do their daily activities.
Therefore, their body clock will have difficulties to adapt with the situation. Of course human body can adjust to this situation, but it will take several days for the body clock to fully adapt with the changes.
The most affected with the shift work sleep disorder are the shift workers who are in the short rotation shift. They need to adjust their sleeping patterns in just few days. Just when their body clock has begun adjusting to the change of sleeping pattern, it has to be forced to change again.
These workers often suffer with sleep deprivation. Their body does not receive the proper amount of rest even when they are managed to be able to sleep for 6 hours long. Their sleeping quality is low because their body clock is still not adapted to the changes. It just like having a constant jet lag.
The health of shift workers
Shift workers who are suffering from sleep deprivation are tend to become less productive and unconsciously lower their guards against danger. Therefore, they have high risk to get accident at work or during travel.
Their digestion systems are also at risk. This is because their digestion systems are much sluggish at night. And as they grew older the problem will become worse since their body become less resilient.
Immune system is also affected by the sleep deprivation, so the shift workers become more vulnerable to illness like the flu, colds and other diseases. There are also social issues that must be overcome since the shift workers are sleeping when the rest of family are awake and active.