Personal Considerations: Reducing Risks with Long Work Hours
III. Personal Considerations
Lack of sleep can increase symptoms and problems for a wide range of chronic illnesses, such as these:
- Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome
- Headaches
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders
- Asthma
- Cancer
- High blood pressure and other heart problems
- Stomach and digestive problems, such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome
- Diabetes
- Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy
- Mood disorders and other mental conditions
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Reproductive problems
- Poor eating habits leading to obesity
Even well-controlled chronic illnesses can worsen from the demands of long work hours, stress, and lack of sleep.
If you have a chronic illness, meet with your healthcare provider before deployment to discuss the impact this may have on your health and to adjust your medicines, if needed.