As our economy and connectivity evolved, many companies and professionals have moved onto working 24/7. To make this happen, people have come up with shift schedules that will allow some people to work during the day, while others work night shifts. However, an issue people face is that night shifts are unconventional and can impact your health. It changes the way your body functions and can have a severe impact on your body. A study published on June 16 in ERJ Open Research found that women who consistently work night shifts have a 50% increased risk of moderate to severe asthma compared to women who workday shifts. Interestingly, this connection wasn't observed in men. Researchers from the University of Manchester in the U.K., explained that while the study doesn't pinpoint why this link exists, it might be due to disruptions in the body's natural clock, which can affect hormone levels. Hormonal Connections and Increased Risk The idea that hormones play a role is supported by a key finding: postmenopausal women on the night shift who were not using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) saw their risk of moderate to severe asthma nearly double. Researchers noted that asthma already affects women more severely than men, leading to higher hospitalization and death rates for women. Previous studies have also linked night shift work to more severe asthma in general. This led the team to investigate if night shifts would further increase asthma risk specifically for women. Study Details and Findings The study tracked the health of nearly 275,000 working individuals in the U.K. Biobank, a large health research project. Over 5% of these workers had asthma, with 2% suffering from severe asthma requiring a rescue inhaler. The results clearly showed that women working only night shifts had 50% higher odds of moderate to severe asthma. This risk jumped to 89% higher for postmenopausal women on the night shift who were not taking HRT. Researchers suggested that HRT might offer some protection against asthma for night shift workers, but he stressed that more research is needed to confirm this. He also speculated that higher testosterone levels in men might protect them from asthma, as testosterone has previously been linked to asthma protection. Unanswered Questions and Future Steps While the study highlights a strong association, it can't definitively prove that night shifts cause asthma in women. Other factors, like the different types of jobs men and women hold on night shifts, could also contribute to the risk. Experts pointed out that it's often not easy for workers to simply change their shifts. She emphasized the need for further research to fully understand this link and to find ways to reduce the risk for women who work night shifts. What Are Some Other Long-Term Effects Of Night Shifts? Shift work, especially at night, seriously disrupts your body's natural 24-hour cycle, called the circadian rhythm, leading to various health challenges. Here are some long-term health issues that may arise from it, according to UCLA health. Cancer Disrupted circadian rhythm impacts cell function, DNA repair, and cell death, potentially leading to cancer, as reported by the National Toxicology Program. Reduced melatonin from irregular light/dark exposure hinders cell repair, making cancer progression easier. Cardiovascular Disease Working unusual hours increases heart disease and stroke risk. A European Society of Cardiology-linked study found women with five-plus years of rotating night shifts faced higher death risk, tied to stress, high blood pressure, and metabolic factors. Gastrointestinal Disorders Shift workers often experience digestive issues like abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, and IBS. These gut problems stem from sleep deprivation and unhealthy, processed food diets common in shift work, altering gut bacteria. Mental Health Disorders Nonstandard hours make maintaining relationships difficult, leading to isolation, stress, depression, and anxiety. A large study in The Lancet Psychiatry found shift work directly linked to higher risks of depression and anxiety, increasing with shift frequency. Metabolic Disorders Shift work disrupts circadian rhythm and hormones, raising risks for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and Type 2 diabetes. It's linked to higher BMI, hormonal imbalances affecting appetite/weight, and unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and poor diet.