It is known that working permanently in the evenings is not beneficial for health, especially for those who work long hours.

Numerous studies have shown that nightshift work is linked to higher risks of various health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancers. However, recent research suggests that permanent evening work may increase the risk of asthma, a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions of people worldwide.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation, narrowing, and swelling of the airways, which makes breathing difficult.

Asthma symptoms may include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, and they can vary in severity and frequency, depending on the individual and the triggers. Common asthma triggers may include allergens, irritants, exercise, cold air, and infections.

How is Asthma Diagnosed and Treated?

Asthma is usually diagnosed based on a combination of symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and lung function tests, such as spirometry, which measures how much air an individual can inhale and exhale and how fast.

Asthma treatment may involve medications, such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and leukotriene modifiers, that help relax the airways, reduce inflammation, and prevent exacerbations. Treatment may also involve lifestyle changes, such as avoiding triggers, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.

Permanent Evening Work and Asthma Risk

The link between permanent evening work and asthma risk was investigated in a recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal.

The study included 683 people aged 18-65 years who worked either permanent evening shifts (n=190), rotating shifts (n=243), or regular day shifts (n=250) in Denmark. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their work schedule, smoking status, and asthma symptoms.

They were also asked to perform lung function tests, including spirometry and bronchial challenge tests, which measure how easily the airways constrict in response to various stimuli, such as methacholine.

The results of the study showed that participants who worked permanent evening shifts had a higher risk of asthma than those who worked regular day shifts.

Specifically, the permanent evening shift workers had a 36% higher risk of asthma than the regular day shift workers, after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and other factors. The risk was even higher among the permanent evening shift workers who had worked in that schedule for more than five years, with a 46% higher risk of asthma than the regular day shift workers.

Why Does Permanent Evening Work Increase Asthma Risk?

The mechanisms by which permanent evening work may increase the risk of asthma are not fully understood, but there are several possible explanations.

One explanation is that permanent evening work disrupts the circadian rhythms, the natural internal clock that regulates various physiological processes, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and immune function. Disruption of circadian rhythms may affect the release of inflammatory and allergic mediators in the airways, making them more reactive and prone to asthma attacks.

Another explanation is that permanent evening work may affect the quality and quantity of sleep, as well as the exposure to environmental pollutants and allergens.

People who work permanently in the evenings may have shorter and more fragmented sleep, as well as reduced exposure to natural light, which may disrupt their immune function and increase their susceptibility to respiratory infections and allergens. Additionally, permanent evening work may expose individuals to higher levels of air pollution and industrial chemicals, which may irritate the airways and exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Implications for Public Health

The findings of the study have important implications for public health, especially for those who work permanently in the evenings. Asthma is a common and costly disease, and its prevalence and severity are increasing worldwide.

While the mechanisms of asthma are complex and multifactorial, the role of environmental factors, including work schedules, cannot be overlooked. Employers and healthcare providers should be aware of the potential risks of permanent evening work and take measures to mitigate them, such as providing adequate breaks, minimizing exposure to pollutants, and offering flexible scheduling options.

Conclusion

Permanent evening work is associated with higher rates of asthma, according to a recent study.

The study suggests that working permanently in the evenings may disrupt the circadian rhythms, affect sleep quality, and increase exposure to environmental pollutants and allergens, which may exacerbate inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Employers and healthcare providers should be aware of the potential risks of permanent evening work and take steps to reduce them.