Avoid the Night Terrors of Shift Work Disorder

Do you work the graveyard shift? If you do, your health may be compromised. Over 15 million Americans work a job with late-night or early-morning hours, which leaves workers vulnerable to shift work disorder (SWD). SWD is hard to diagnose and treat, but the associated sleep deprivation and insomnia can be debilitating.

A recent study published in the Journal of American Physiology by researchers from the University of Toronto discovered another serious health risk posed by SWD -- a higher risk for organ disease. With the side effects of SWD only expanding, workers must find ways to manage the bodily stress.

Shift work disrupts the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, called circadian rhythm, which affects other critical factors like body temperature and the way organs function.

"We knew that circadian rhythm disruption had been linked with reduced longevity, so we decided to try and find out where, why and how longevity is compromised," explains psychology professor Martin Ralph from the University of Toronto, one of the lead researchers from the study on shift work.

Shift work is the opposite of 9-5, and demand for it is only increasing as customers expect more 24-hour services. Many occupations require permanent or occasional shift work, such as healthcare professionals, hospitality and restaurant staff, production and manufacturing workers, protective and emergency services and the transportation industry.

These workers suffer from the continual disturbance of their biological or circadian clocks. As the new study supports, long-term interference of this nature can lead to kidney or heart disease.

People suffering with SWD can also have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is a condition marked by loud snoring, pauses in breathing and gasping. The repeated arousals contribute to the disruption of sleep. Like SWD, it can contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness, diabetes and heart disease. Unlike SWD, it is easy to diagnose and effectively treat.

Another tip is to create an ideal sleep environment -- eliminate extra noise and light to get the most out of your irregular sleep schedule. Try and stick to the same sleep and wake time, even on weekends. Don't hesitate to seek medical help.

To find more information and advice on sleep disorders, go to www.sleepapnea.org.

New Technology Developed To Help Keep Skin Moisturized

With so much attention being paid today about new technologies used in cell phones, video games and music downloading, it is surprising that there hasn't been enough written about the newest approach to maintaining proper skin hydration.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It protects you from bacteria and viruses that can cause infections. It also helps your body sense the outside world, such as whether it is hot or cold, wet or dry. And yes, your skin regulates your body temperature.

Just about everyone, at one time or another has skin that reacts to factors in the environment: germs, chemicals, harsh weather, animals, poor air quality, stress related irritations and sleep deprivation. Conditions that stress, clog or inflame your skin can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, burning and itching. Allergies, irritants, genetic makeup, certain diseases and immune system disorders can cause dermatitis, hives and other skin conditions.

Proper care of the skin is a vital part of total body maintenance. As we grow older, our skin begins to dry out and lose elasticity. This dehydration process eventually causes skin to become so dry that it begins to crack and develop lines and age spots.

While there are literally thousands of different types of skin moisturizing products sold throughout the world today, almost all of them are based on an old technology known as "barrier" technology. The idea behind this technology was to cover the skin with a thin coating and protect it from the elements.

This was the standard approach to skin care products for the past few hundred years. While it was better than no treatment at all, many of these barrier products can clog the pores of the skin which results in stress and it can impair the natural skin breathing process. When you skin isn't breathing properly, it can become inflamed and worse. Also, any benefits these products were washed away as soon as the skin came in contact with water.

Fortunately about a dozen or so years ago, a team of dermatologists and scientists from around the world began to work together on a project to develop a skin moisturizing system to help the millions of people who work outdoors and as a result were prone to having very dry and unhealthy skin. This group working together and sharing their discoveries, led to the creation of a new generation of skin moisturizing products which when applied to the skin become completely absorbed into the skin and leave no greasy film.

The ingredients used in these products combine botanicals, vitamins and minerals, and they actually stimulate the body to moisturize itself naturally. A recent clinical trial conducted at a prestigious laboratory in the United States confirmed that the daily use of Columbia Healing Cream results in skin that appears to be younger looking, firmer and healthier looking after just three weeks.

For more information about Columbia Healing Cream you may search the web at www.fcsturtevant.com, or call toll free at 1-888-871-5661, or write to: The F.C. Sturtevant Company, PO Box 607, Bronxville, NY 10708.