Shift work in teens linked to increased multiple sclerosis risk (and more - circadian disruption)

Wiley-Blackwell ^ | October 18, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

Circadian disruption and sleep restriction contributing factors

Researchers from Sweden have uncovered an association between shift work and increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Those who engage in off-hour employment before the age of 20 may be at risk for MS due to a disruption in their circadian rhythm and sleep pattern. Findings of this novel study appear today in Annals of Neurology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society.

Previous research has determined that shift work—working during the night or rotating working hours—increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders, and cancer. Circadian disruption and sleep restriction are associated with working night shifts; these factors are believed to disturb melatonin secretion and increase inflammatory responses, promoting disease states. MS is a central nervous system autoimmune inflammatory disorder that has an important environmental component, thus investigating lifestyle risk factors, such as sleep loss related to shift work, is an important objective and the focus of the current study.

Dr. Anna Karin Hedström and colleagues from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm analyzed data from two population-based studies—one with 1343 incident cases of MS and 2900 controls and another with 5129 prevalent MS cases and 4509 controls. The team compared the occurrence of MS among study subjects exposed to shift work at various ages against those who had never been exposed. All study subjects resided in Sweden and were between the ages of 16 and 70. Shift work was defined as permanent or alternating working hours between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.

[xrmusn]

I worked the graveyard shift in the summers for 3 years before I was 21.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Guess I better get checked...
During Soph/Junior yr HS worked 5+ nights a week setting pins in a bowling alley, double alley/double shift - Only night off was if had (far) away or evening Basketball game on Tuesdays and Friday evening.
That was 1954/55, 55/56...
Of course then Basketball wasn’t played 6 months of the year....
Luckily didn’t have to many ‘derelicts’ in town so didn’t really take a job away from an ‘adult’.
Then went in Navy in 56 where it was ALL shift work.

[neverdem]

immunology ping

Shift work at young age is associated with increased risk for multiple sclerosis

[editor-surveyor]

>> “PacMan was the start!” <<

.
No, Pong.

[Jack Hydrazine]

I came across this video about how this lady beat her MS with the paleo diet. It’s very interesting and informative.

http://wimp.com/mindingmitochondria/