[Guest]

I just started working 11pm - 7am and am not on a very consistent sleep schedule. My M.D. friend says shift workers have more health problems. Just how much sleep does one really need? If I sleep only 4 hours and feel OK, will I still have problems long term?

[Guest]

That is unknown, if you feel fine. Some people are short sleepers, although 4 hours is extremely short even for a short sleeper. These people are rested and energetic on this amount of sleep and the long term health consequences in these people is not known. Long term sleep deprivation, i.e. you sleep 4 hours but need 8 hours is probably not good, the studies for this are very rudimentary, but does increase the risk of industrial and automobile accidents for sure. Other, healt consequences are just being explored.
[quote] I just started working 11pm - 7am and am not on a very consistent sleep schedule. My M... [/quote]

[annettefranklin]

I've been working night shift for 10 years. I was able to cope with the lack of sleep for several years, however the older you get the less patience you have with your spouse, family and friends. I work Monday- Friday night from 09:00p.m. until 06:00 a.m. On Saturdays my husband wants to go to breakfast run errands all day. By about 7:30pm. I'm feeling depress, irritable, sluggish, and have extremely bad headaches. Last weekend when I pledid with my husband to take me home after being up for 32 hours, in which he didn't...I went crazy out of my mind. I couldn't get control of my emotions, and I violently started to attack him. Your spouse will never understand the difference from your sleeping during the day and them at night. IT'S NOT THE SAME. Unless you are making an extreme amount of money...Like I do. Get another Job, It's not worth losing your mind.