Stress
in Shift Work and Serotonin Levels
The 21st Century is best characterized by the advent of
ultra-modern technology, global commercial and business, and the unstoppable desire
to get and stay ahead. Because of these factors, business corporations compete
in a world where the economy is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This
phenomenon created a demand for employees that would work even during the night
up to the wee hours of the morning. This work schedule reversed employee
lifestyle, making the day their time to for sleeping. Shifts may disrupt the
normal body functions, hamper sleep cycles, and reduce the body’s serotonin
levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is found in the central nervous
system and impacts multiple functions like mood, sleep, sexuality, and
appetite. This neurotransmitter may also promote cell regeneration.
Studies show that non-day shift workers tend to have lower levels of
“feel-good” hormones called serotonin. Researchers studied 683 men and compared
437 day workers to 246 shift workers. The results, the shift workers’ serotonin
levels, measured through blood tests were significantly lower than those on
regular day schedules. In addition to reduced serotonin levels, shift workers
were also found to have higher cholesterol, hip-to-waist ratios, increased
blood pressure, and higher triglyceride levels.
Because serotonin levels administer sleep patterns and other body functions,
the University of Buenos Aires study suggested that shift work may also lead to
a so-called Shift Work Sleep Disorder. People with this disorder tend to remain
awake when they should be sleeping. These individuals can be very tired during
waking hours. This disorder takes place because of a work schedule that takes
place during the normal sleep period. Because of this, people who have
difficulty getting sleep because their bodies are still programmed to be awake.
The time of being asleep and being awake is different from what the body’s
internal clock expects.
Other studies also found out that non-standard and night shift work may affect
the cardiovascular and metabolic systems. These studies suggest that there is a
possibility that shift work is directly responsible for high blood pressure and
increased body fat, according the researchers of the Buenos Aires study. In
addition to the disruption of sleep patterns, reduced levels of serotonin are
also linked to other conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Lifestyle changes can lead to improved serotonin levels. To make serotonin
levels consistent, sleep patterns should be consistent and food regimens should
include necessary vitamins and minerals to control the serotonin levels.
Certain drugs and substances like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and
antidepressants should be avoided because they may deplete serotonin
production.
Individuals who want to improve their serotonin levels can use medication to
aid them in their goal. The amino acid 5-HTP can be taken as a supplement and
improve the body’s ability to manufacture serotonin. Another amino acid called
L-tryptophan is used by the body to produce serotonin. However, before taking
these supplements, patients are advised to seek the approval of doctors and
other health professionals. Individuals who choose to work in the night should
maintain adequate rest to lessen ill-effects that may develop. Healthy
lifestyles and nutritious food regimens may improve serotonin levels and
improve one’s quality of life.
Plastic surgery is
becoming a common thing nowadays, with things like nose jobs and face lifts
almost becoming everyday procedures in some large cities. Certainly, there are
a number of psychological and emotional benefits to such procedures, but only
if they are properly done. Also, even if these procedures are performed
flawlessly by the surgeon, there are still some things that need to be kept in
mind after the surgery itself, not the least of which is the need for
post-surgery therapy. There are even a few things that need to be taken into
account before something like this is even considered, outside of an emergency
situation where the procedure is reconstructive and not aesthetic in nature.
The first thing to consider would be the reasons for the surgery in the first
place. If the procedure is not meant to repair damaged tissue and is merely
cosmetic, plastic surgeons will often have the patient speak to a psychologist
before agreeing to the procedure. There are a myriad of reasons for this, not
the least of which is to reduce the chances of mistakenly performing a
procedure to “perfect” someone’s appearance on a person who is psychologically
incapable of recognizing an absence of flaws. The more ethical plastic surgeons
are willing to perform procedures only on people who require them or do not
have some sort of psychological issue that might cause problems if surgery is
carried out. However, this is merely what needs to be done before one goes
under the knife, with what needs to happen afterwards being a completely
different scenario.
There can be any number of things that must be taken into consideration when it
comes to post-surgery therapy, particularly for plastic surgery. For example,
in the case of liposuction, there is usually a set number of days of minimal or
controlled food consumption. This is because whatever was done during the
procedure needs time to “stick,” as it were. Binge eating will not only damage
what the liposuction was supposed to do, but it may also cause additional
damage as side effects.
In general, the surgeons themselves will inform their patients of what needs to
be done and what things should be avoided before they’re discharged. Whatever
they say must be adhered to almost religiously, because these procedures and
limitations were designed to help the body fully heal after whatever was done.
Yes, there is a recovery time in place after the surgical procedure itself, but
the body needs more time to really “settle.” Some types of cosmetic surgical
procedures might also require the use of certain medications, with various
effects. Some are designed to help the body accept the changes, while others
are used to reduce some negative symptoms, such as pain.
The precautions to be taken after the fact hold true even when the procedure is
reconstructive in nature. These sorts of medical procedures can sometimes be
rather invasive, with a number of available techniques requiring that areas of
the patient’s body be cut and pathways into deeper cavities opened up. In the
end, these procedures require time for the body to fully recover from them,
much like other forms of surgery.