Red Bluff Daily News Special Publications
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Nurses at risk for shift work sleep disorder doctors, paramedics, and pilots, nurses are at risk for developing shift work sleep disorder, a syn- drome characterized by pro- longed insomnia and excessive sleepiness due to the interruption of the body's natural sleep-wake cycles. While having a nontradi- tional work schedule does not automatically lead to SWSD, an increasing number of jobs require shift work and there has been a rise in the number of people reporting symptoms of the disor- der. Like police officers, firefighters, Studies show that shift workers tend to both sleep fewer hours during each 24-hour period and experience less satisfactory sleep than non-shift workers. Over a prolonged period of time, the loss of sleep and normal sleep rhythms can lead to difficulty con- centrating, remembering informa- tion and making decisions. Other symptoms include impaired hand- eye coordination and increased reaction times, both of which pose risks in a medical setting. Sleep deprivation among nurs- es has become one of the most common issues affecting the qual- ity of care in hospitals as well as the physical and mental health of the care providers themselves. Nurses who experience excessive sleepiness have been shown to make more mistakes when admin- istering drugs and using medical equipment. In addition to having have high rates of absenteeism and high incidents of automobile accidents, people who suffer from SWSD are also at risk for devel- oping serious health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. Wednesday, October 24, 2012 – Daily News 3D workers cope with interrupted sleep cycles in a variety of ways, from consuming caffeinated bev- erages to taking sleep aids, the only true remedy for sleepiness is to sleep. For many workers with nontraditional work sched- ules, avoiding SWSD comes down to two things — making sleep a priority and learning to nap. While nurses and other shift and anyone suffering from SWSD, to get a better's night sleep. Here are some tips for nurses, * Make sleep a priority. When it's time to snooze, make your Valley Veterinary Clinic has a team of experienced, compassionate employees who truly have your pets best interest as our top priority. www.ValleyVetRedBluff.com Dr. Debbie Fox-Chow graduated from UC Davis Vet School in 1998. "I have been here since I graduated and bought the business in April of 2007. I am married and have 2 children, ages 6 and 9." Dr. Terri Hill graduated in 1995 from UC Davis. She has worked at Valley Vet for over 10 years. Dr. Mandy Hamilton graduated in 2005 from UC Davis. She is a native of Northern California. 420 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 527-5259 Tehama Estates Provides: ◆ Independent Living ◆ Private Apartments ◆ Three Nutritious Meals Daily ◆ 24 Hour Secure Environment ◆ House Keeping Services ◆ Warm & Friendly Staff ◆ Recreational Programs ◆ Scheduled Transportation ◆ Private & Formal Dining Rooms Tehama Estates A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens 750 David Avenue, Red Bluff 527-9193 Quality Eye Care, Quality Eyewear EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY sleep space a "do not disturb" zone. Turn off the phone. Block out or eliminate noise from other parts of the home. Darken your bedroom with blackout shades or by wearing an eye mask. sleep. Exercise is a key factor in establishing healthy sleep habits. Set aside time for aerobic exer- cise during the work week but not within three hours of bedtime. Since exercise raises your body temperature, it can be harder to fall asleep soon after. * Schedule exercise to aid * Plan ahead. Begin to change your sleep schedule three days 237 S. Main Street Red Bluff "As Local As You" prior to a shift change. On each of the three days, adjust your bed- time and wake time by one to two hours so that your circadian rhythm has a chance to adjust before the change. * Nap smart. Night workers — especially those who have been awake for several hours prior to their shift — can benefit from a 30-minute nap prior to leaving for work. Whenever possible, find a spot at work for a 10-minute cat- nap during your break. If you become sleepy while driving home, pull over for some quick shuteye. (530) 529-1222 Treatment of medical eye problems such as dry eye, allergies, blurred vision and eye injuries. Ocular eye evaluations for diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension (high blood pressure), cataracts, and high risk medications. Please call and schedule an appointment for you and your family members today. We are open for business Monday through Thursday 8:30 to 5:30 and Friday 8:30 to 4:00. You can also visit our web site at www.redbluffvision.com Aurora Barriga O.D. 715 Jackson St., Suite A, Red Bluff (530) 527-9242 Red Bluff Vision Center Your Full Service Eye Professionals always welcome! New patients We are a full service independent insurance agency. We Broker thru many companies and have been in business since 1924. Michelle Blunkall has been in the industry since 1985 and has worked at Blunkall and Napier since 1988. Michelle became an partner/owner in 2003. Lydia Culligan has worked at our agency for over 11 years, is the office manager and a licensed property and casualty insurance broker. Aracely Valdovinos has worked at our agency as a Customer Service Representative for over 6 years. We specialize in personal and commercial insurance and guarantee the highest customer service available. Call us at 530-527-1313 for a competitive quote. 44 Chestnut Ave., Red Bluff