Sleep Disorders Affect Performance of America's Workers

Sleep Disorders Affect Performance of America's Workers

Sleep disorders are the single biggest health problem affecting America's workers, says William Dement, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. According to Dement, roughly half the U.S. population has a sleep disorder, which can contribute directly to daytime fatigue and decreased productivity on the job. "It's absolutely clear that lowering the amount of sleep or interrupting it frequently diminishes the ability to function in the waking state and negatively impacts workplace performance," says Dement.

Dr. Mario Kinsella, a board certified sleep physician at the West Penn Sleep center, says the main reason is social. "We try to fit too many things into a day, and as a result sleep is truncated at the expense of other activities. With the advent of electric light 100 years ago, man developed the ability to defy nature and carry on other, non-sleep, activities during the night, which is primarily designed for sleep and rest. It is not hard to see why we are turning into a nation of zombies."

The vast majority of individuals require between seven and eight hours of sleep every night, according to Ed Coburn, managing director of Circadian Information, a publisher of sleep-related information. "Of course with wakefulness, as with sleep, you have to consider both quality and quantity. When you get inadequate quality and quantity of sleep, it reduces the quality of your waking time. As a result you don't perform as well, you don't make clear decisions, you make mistakes, you move slowly," he explains.

Experts say this is bound to affect workplace performance. "Sleep is very important for cognitive or brain function. Any deeds needing attention, concentration or mental function will therefore suffer, says Kinsella. Higher incidents of workplace injuries have also been reported in relation with sleep disorders. "There is clearly a higher rate of accidents, particularly in people who have disorders whose consequence is excess sleepiness," he says.

There are numerous common sleep disorders including periodic limb movement and narcolepsy, but research shows the most widespread disorder is sleep apnea (OSA). Older men, postmenopausal women, obese individuals and those who take sedating drugs are at an increased risk for OSA. "The unfortunate thing is that it is only a very small percentage of sleep disorders that are identified and treated. Most people simply live with a sleep disorder and don't realize there's something they can do to make their lives better," says Coburn.

Small businesses can help employees with sleep disorders by being aware of the problem and taking steps to educate themselves about it. Coburn says, "Urging people to discuss possible sleep problems with their doctors and seeking the advice of a sleep specialist are two actions employers can take. In particular to safety-sensitive work environments, I would recommend a more active effort." He suggests some cases may warrant the use of sleep clinics.

There is no substitute for a good night's rest, but there are alternatives for those who simply cannot afford to undergo expensive treatments. Napping is a one solution being studied by Boston University staff.

"People are napping at work, and they are doing it to be better workers. It improves their work performance and mood. Napping and productivity go hand in hand. It can reduce errors, increase concentration and allow the person to work for longer periods of time. It is the no cost, no sweat way to improve productivity," says Bill Anthony, director of center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, and author of "The Art of Napping."

For more information about sleep disorders and workplace fatigue visit Circadian Technologies' Shiftwork.