A number of UAE residents face an issue called ‘shift work disorder’ that stems from working irregular hours or night shifts, according to a sleep expert. This condition requires more attention to ensure that it doesn’t negatively impact people’s health.
“This is also called the circadian rhythm disorder and in Dubai, where everything works 24 hours, we find it very commonly in our clinic,” said Dr Mutaz Labib, consultant pulmonary and Critical Care Disease and head of Sleep Lab at Clemenceau Medical Center Hospital. “The issue arises because of how our body’s circadian rhythm works to adjust its sleep timings.”
He explained that the human body’s sleep cycle is controlled by several factors, including the secretion of a hormone called melatonin. “It gets secreted around 8pm and reaches the peak around midnight, promoting sleep,” he said.
“The core body temperature goes down until we go into deep slumber. It goes up again after 4am when the body is exposed to sunlight or bright light. This circle regulates our sleep cycle. When there is an interruption, like for example, people who work overnight, the secretion of the melatonin gets disrupted,” he added.
Dr Elie Abirached, longevity expert and the founder of Limitless Human and Restore Fitness, also noted that they see a growing number of clients, particularly healthcare professionals, hospitality workers, airline crew, and executives managing global teams, struggling with sleep-related issues.
“One airline executive, for example, developed extreme fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain despite working out regularly,” Dr Elie said.
“The biggest challenge is falling asleep once the sun is up because our circadian rhythm isn’t designed for it — we’re going against what’s natural for the body. I find it difficult to wind down and fall asleep during the day,” she added.
