Jackulan

Hi, My name is Jack Daunais.I have been studying the effects that night shift work can have on the human body and mind for over ten years.I'm talking primarily about the 7PM to 7AM time period.A new night shift worker can have as much as a twelve hour change in his day cycle.If a person were to take a twelve hour flight,in four or five days you become in sync with the local day cycle.Not so with the night shift worker.The night shift worker is trapped in a nether world of half-sleep,half-wakefulness.Some night shift workers perpetuate their condition by staying up days on weekends.Another dangerous area night shift workers get into is sleep deprivation.They stay up to see their childrens rehearsals,softball,basketball,soccer... This is not new research.It goes back to Gregor Mendell and his peas.A more recent study may be of interest.Nassa found that the Gemini Astronauts were passing through time zone after time zone,the interior going light dark,light dark.They diagnosed the astronauts with circadian disorientation.Hey,it was serious enough for Nassa to redesign all the space capsules with full spectrum lighting,creating an artificial day cycle. Nursing Union Stewards can use circadian disorientation as a bargaining tool at the next negotiations,or as a defense for those new night shift workers who get into trouble. For Union Stewards,I have a limited number of copies of a booklet titled:"Working nights:Health and Safety Guide".I can be reached at [email protected],Phone 508-8535786,or I would be willing to speak to groups outlining ideas that I have also for patients who are resistent to long term treatment. Sincerely,John Daunais PS.My aim is to raise public awareness of the living hell night shift workers experience.