Healthcare workers who work the overnight shift have it tough. The disruption of the body’s natural circadian rhythm may cause a number of health problems including:

• Fatigue and sleep deficits
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Menstrual disorders
• Substance abuse
• Social and family life troubles

Melatonin has been suggested to improve sleep, but the evidence supporting its use is inconsistent. A small recent study of 36 participants found that sleep efficiency was improved in people taking melatonin at doses of 5.0 mg or 0.3 mg.

Dr. Charles Czeisler of Brigham and Women’s Hospital:

Melatonin enabled these participants to obtain an extra half hour of sleep when they attempted to do so during the day, at a time when they were not producing melatonin themselves. Melatonin did not help these young adults sleep at night, when their body was already producing melatonin. These finding have implications for millions of people who attempt to sleep at a time that is out of synch with the brain’s internal clock

Have you tried melatonin as a means of coping with a night shift schedule?

Medical News Today, May 2, 2006

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