Question

A colleague is forced to work the night shift for 14 days every 6 months. During those 2 weeks her sleep is very poor and she is quick to note that “I am not a night person at all.” She has diabetes and while she is careful about her diet and adherence with medication during the night shift cycles, she wonders why her blood sugar levels are less stable during these times.
----How might this be associated with sleep physiology?

Answer 1

According to sleep physiology, the drive to sleep increases with an increase in the time since the last episode of non-REM sleep. This implies that the need for sleep is enhanced with sleep depravation which explains the concern "I am not a night person at all". Similarly, a decrease in the amount of sleep increases blood sugar levels. Consequently, the more days she spends on night shifts, the higher her sugar levels get due to sleep depravation.