Health Risks of Being a Night Owl: A Comprehensive Report

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The health risks of being a night owl
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
METHODS....................................................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY.................................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
A research can be defined as a systematic investigation of study regarding particular problem or
a concern that are based on scientific methods. It is a systematic inquiry to control, predict,
explain and describe the observed phenomenon. Research mainly involves deductive and
inductive methods. A good research must explain the facts and issue and can be able to fill the
gap. The evidence based practice is conduct on a chosen topic that is “the health risks of being
a night owl”. This is being done in order to solve the issues of nigh owl. It has been seen that
night owl has been associated with development of several risk factors or diseases. 10 articles is
being selected to find an evidence on a chosen topic. Figueiro and White evaluated that shift
workers are more commonly involve with circadian sleep disorders that has been associated
with insomnia and sleepiness. Circadian disruption can lead to disruption in the pattern of cell
proliferation and metabolism. Night own adversely affect the health of the individual and hence
it lead to development of various health disorder such as cardiovascular disease, type 2
diabetes, cancer, etc. It has been seen that some student prefer to study in night as they can be
more concentrate towards their study in a night time while other believe that morning time is
best for study and hence they prefer to study in morning time. In a recent study it has been
shown that morning time is best to study for a student as things are more easily remind in a
morning time and people are more concentrate in a morning time. It can be due to fresh mind
can easily retain things while in night the mind has got tired due to whole day schedule and
hence in night time, things are not get easily retained. The evidence based practice is being
conducted with the help of qualitative method.
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METHODS
A database can be defined as a process of collection of information through various sources in
order to conduct a research (Green and Thorogood, 2018). The various evidence based article is
being collected on different website, Google scholar, PubMed, etc. evidence based practice is
performed on the topic of “the health risks of being a night owl” (Smith, 2015). In this study a
qualitative method is being used to conduct an evidence based practice in a chosen topic.
Qualitative method is being designed in a manner that they could help to analyses the
perception and behavior of target population in regard to a chosen topic (Padgett, 2016). There
are several types of qualitative methods such as content analysis, ethnographic research, focus
groups, case study research and in-depth interview. This method is not used to know about
what individual think but to analyses why they think (Ezzy, 2013). The results of this approach
are more descriptive and it is comparatively easy method in order to conduct a research. This
method generally collects data where the population is facing a problems and issues (Straus et
al., 2018). The qualitative method is being used to solve complex issues such that it breaks into
meaningful interference that can be understood easily to all. In this evidence based practice,
there are 10 papers re being used to provide evidence on the health risk of being a night owl
(Zee, Attarian and Videnovic, 2013). 10 different authors have conducted their study in order to
examine the side effects of being night owl. The keywords of this practice are early bird, night
owl, circadian rhythm, morningness, eveningness, night shift, early shift and chronotype
(Okamoto-Mizuno and Mizuno, 2012). Various authors have proposed their views and opinion
that are for and against the claims of the healthy risk of being a night owl.
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MAIN BODY
The body of the human being runs on a 24-hour cycle which is managed by our internal clock
that is known as chronotype or circadian rhythm (Richter et al., 2016). The internal clock of a
body is regulated by many physical functions such as wake up, sleep and eats. A person
circadian rhythm guide people for their natural preference such as walking early and going to
bed early or late. There are various evidence which suggest that people who are going to bed
later tend to consume more alcohol, unhealthier diets, caffeinated drinks, sugars and fast food
as compared to early riser people (Okamoto-Mizuno and Mizuno, 2012). It has between seen
that night owl may be associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and
diabetes mellitus.
Figueiro and White (2013) perform a literature review on the effect of implication and working
rotation shift on the health of the individual (Figueiro and White, 2013). They explained that
shift workers are more commonly associated with circadian sleep disorders that are
characterized by insomnia and sleepiness. This could lead to decrease the productivity of work,
diminished quality of life, and impaired safety and have many adverse effects on the health of
the individual (Figueiro and White, 2013). It has been seen that circadian disruption may be due
to rotating shift work that could be associated with increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular
disease, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. In Europe it has been seen that around 15
to 20 per cent of all full-time workers work in an alternative shift (Figueiro and White, 2013).
Night shifts and rotating shift are more common and account 6.4 per cent of all salary workers
and full-time wage (Figueiro and White, 2013). It has been seen that shift worker are more
likely to associate with various health-related issues. The circadian disruption or internal
desynchronization affects the entire body that includes performance efficiency, sleep efficiency,
physical performance and alertness (Figueiro and White, 2013). They explained that circadian
disruption can disturb cell proliferation and metabolism. Observational studies have shown that
night owl has been associated with increased risk of breast and colorectal cancer that is
potentially linked to melatonin suppression. It has been seen that increase the risk of cancer
was most prominent after the 15 years of the working job (Figueiro and White, 2013). They
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have conducted a study in an Iceland that shown that female is more commonly associated
with breast cancer after 15 years of their working job (Figueiro and White, 2013). Another study
was conducted in a Norway that found that incidence of breast cancer in female telegraph and
radio operators with exposure to LAN. It has been seen that night shift pattern can be variable.
Hansen and Steven explained that a chance of breast cancer in health care nurses has found to
be increased due to rotational shifts of their job. They observed that the high prevalence of
breast cancer has been associated with long-term night shift rotation (Figueiro and White,
2013).
Maestripieri in 2014 state that people differences in eveningness or morningness are
comparatively stable over time and it is based genetically (Maestripieri, 2014). The pattern of
nigh owl is more prevalent in men as compare to women. He notice that night owl pattern were
more common after puberty or before the women reach to menopause. He explained that
eveningness has been associated with novelty-seeking and extraversion. In his study, he has
found that eveningness has been associated with short term relationship and it may be due to
high cortisol and testosterone level (Maestripieri, 2014). Women are usually it high risk of
eveningness as compare to men. However this was not aggravated due to testosterone level
but doe to increase level of cortisol in the women. He has explained that eveningness has been
associated with behavioral and psychological traits (Maestripieri, 2014).
Gamaldo et al in 2014 state that human spend almost third of their lives in sleep (Gamaldo et
al., 2014). However, a well-balanced synchrony between wakefulness and sleep must be
maintained in order to achieve healthy lifestyle. They explained that optimal sleep of the
individual is based on circadian rhythm and inherent sleep requirement. If any of these
elements has disrupted, reduced sense of wellbeing, non-restorative sleep and daytime
function may result (Gamaldo et al., 2014). Circadian rhythm sleep wake disorders (CRWDs) are
more common in general population and it is comprises of delayed sleep phase disorder,
shiftwork disorder, irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder, non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder and
jet lag disorder seen (Gamaldo et al., 2014). They explained that night owl can affect the health
and wellbeing of the individual and it could aggravate various sleeping disorders. Night owl can
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lead to mental trauma of the patient and hence they unable to concentrate on various
activities. Circadian rhythm can lead to misalignment between the desired sleep schedule and
sleep pattern. It could affect the working pattern of the individual (Gamaldo et al., 2014).
Lundgren, Öhrn and Jönsson in 2016 explained that there is association between the pattern of
night owl and the risk of caries in adolescents as well as tooth brushing and dietary habits
(Lundgren, Öhrn and Jönsson, 2016). They have conducted a study and found that around 50
per cent adolescent is having common sleep-cycle group type (Lundgren, Öhrn and Jönsson,
2016). Around 37 per cent adolescent is having evening type sleep cycle and around 13 per cent
adolescent have morning type cycle (Lundgren, Öhrn and Jönsson, 2016). They analyses that
neutral and morning type were more common than evening type. They explained that evening
type nigh cycles has been associated with high risk of development of caries. Tooth brushing,
breakfast habits and circadian rhythm were more frequently associated with high risk
development of caries (Lundgren, Öhrn and Jönsson, 2016). It has been seen that adolescents
who are having evening type sleep pattern brushed their teeth very rarely and ate breakfast
very rarely and has been associated with high chances of caries development that morning type
sleep pattern (Lundgren, Öhrn and Jönsson, 2016).
Dagys et al (2012) explained that there must be a linked between sleep deprivation and
emotional difficulties in adolescence (Dagys et al., 2012). They conducted a study that is based
on experimental design in order to investigate the role of chronology and sleep deprivation on
emotion of the individual. It was hypothesized that evening chronology and sleep deprivation
associated with increase negative affect, diminish positive affect and lower positivity ratios. In
their study, 47 healthy adolescent were participated of aged group of 10 to 25 years for girls
and 11 to 16 years for boys (Dagys et al., 2012). 24 adolescent were selected that are based on
extreme eveningness or morningness scores (Dagys et al., 2012). Negative affect and positive
affect were measure through negative and positive affect schedule for individual and the
positivity ratios has been calculated by dividing positive affect by negative affect. The result was
found that participant reported lower positivity ratios and less positive affect when sleep
deprived (Dagys et al., 2012). Evening chronotypes reported lower positivity ratios and less
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positive affects as compare to morning chronotypes in both sleep deprivation and rested
condition.
Fonken and Nelson (2014) said that human being produce 24 hour fluctuations in behavior and
physiology and hence termed as circadian rhythms (Fonken and Nelson, 2014). This has been
governing by transcriptional-translational feedback loop that is expressed throughout the body
and brain. Proper circadian regulation is very necessary for proper homeostatic functions and to
regulate body functions. They explained that there are several genes involved in maintaining
circadian rhythm (Fonken and Nelson, 2014). Mice harboring mutations is a gene that regulate
circadian clock and being responsible for altering behavior, dietary fat absorption and
endocrine signaling. They also explained that misalignment between molecular and behavioral
circadian clocks can lead to obesity (Fonken and Nelson, 2014). It has been seen that increase
the exposure of light in a night can lead to increase the provenance of metabolic disorder and
obesity which could ultimately affect the health of the individual.
Gulec et al (2013) classified variations in daytime preference for sleep and activity into morning
and evening chronotype (Gulec et al., 2013). However, evening and morning type do not differ
in pattern of sleep. Various studies have shown that there is association between
psychopathology and eveningness. Morning type has been associated with healthy lifestyle
than evening types. The main aim of this study to evaluate the connection between general
wellbeing, psychopathology and chronotypes in practically health person whose mental and
physical health has been examined (Gulec et al., 2013). The result was found that morning type
people are associated with better and healthy life while evening type people are more
commonly associated with development of several diseases (Gulec et al., 2013).
Erren (2013) explained that there must be connection between shift work and cancer (Erren,
2013). He explained those individuals who are commonly worked in nigh shift are more
commonly associated with development of cancer. By engaging the diurnal preference to
characterize the people chronobiological propensity to rest or sleep and work (Erren, 2013).
Erren has used a marker of susceptibility to strain and stress that is experienced by the person
who are working in a night shift(Erren, 2013). He has conducted a study in a Danish military on
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a night shift of women and found that night shift has been associated with increased risk of
developing breast cancer. He has conducted an experiment on a nurse who is working in the
hospital. The nurse who is working more frequently in a night shift has been associated with
breast cancer (Erren, 2013). He explained that breast cancer is twice time common in the
women who are performing their duty in a night as compare to day time duty women.
Partonen (2015) explained that behavior trait of the individual that is schedule according to the
daily activity for evening and morning hours forms a variety with the anchorage ends of night
owl and early bird and is called as chronotype (Partonen, 2015). There are various genetic
factors that can contribute to circadian rhythm by about half and other half is being due to non-
shared environmental effects. There are various health hazards that may be differ in
chronotypes but are common among early bird and night own such as type 2 diabetes,
bronchial asthma, infertility, substance use disorders, anxiety disorders and mood disorders
(Partonen, 2015). Current data has been revealed that night owl has been associated with early
death as compare to early birds. The person rest activity or sleep-wake cycle is a product of
circadian rhythm and homeostatic sleep pattern that interact with each other (Partonen, 2015).
However the behavioral trait of the individual that schedule the daily activity for evening and
morning hours can be used to evaluation form timing of bedtime to wake-up time.
Wheaton, Chapman and Croft (2016) explained that insufficient sleep among adolescent can
lead to development of wide variety of diseases (Wheaton, Chapman and Croft, 2016). It could
lead to lower academic performance, poor mental health, unable to perform physical activity,
unable to concentrate on study, unable to beer pressure and stress and behavioral problems.
Various policies are made such as delaying school time for the youngster or adolescents in
order to address insufficient sleep and to improve the academic performance of the students,
improve health and reduce negative health behavior (Wheaton, Chapman and Croft, 2016).
Most of the studies have shown that delaying school time can have a significant impact on the
health of the student and hence improve the academic performance of the user (Wheaton,
Chapman and Croft, 2016). it improve attendance, better grades, less falling asleep in class,
fewer motor vehicle crashes and less tardiness.
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Simpson, Gibbs and Matheson (2017) state that athletes are commonly associated with low
sleep quantity as well as quality (Simpson, Gibbs and Matheson, 2017). It has been found that
insufficient sleep may be due to their tight schedule as well as low priority to sleep due to their
training demands. Domains of physical health, neurocognitive function and athletic
performance can be affected due to insufficient sleep or disturbance in sleep pattern (Simpson,
Gibbs and Matheson, 2017). Various strategies has been applied in order to optimize sleep
quantity and quality in athletes that include improving sleep environment, expanding total
sleep duration and identifying sleep disorders.
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CONCLUSION
In this evidence based practice, there are several reviews of authors has been taken on a topic
of the health risks of being a night owl. It has been analyses that, nigh owl can adversely affect
the health of the individual and it leads to development of various life threating condition such
as cardiovascular disorder, cancer, type 2 diabetes, etc. It can also lead to insomnia, sleep
disorder, anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, inability to concentrate, and
inability to perform physical exercise. I strongly support the scenario due to increase prevalence
of disease because of night owl. It has been seen that night owl can drastically change the life of
the person. There are various evidences which show that night owl could harm the health of
user. Partonen explained that there are certain behavioral traits in the individual who could
schedule the daily activity and hence the behavior of the individual is responsible of early bird
or night owl (Partonen, 2015). Maestripieri explained that pattern of sleep is depends on genes
as he believe that genes are mainly responsible for development of circadian rhythm
(Maestripieri, 2014). Male are more commonly suffered form night owl as compared to female.
Gamaldo et al state that sleep of the person is being based on circadian rhythm and inherent
sleep requirement (Gamaldo et al., 2014). Lundgren, Öhrn and Jönsson explained that there
must be a connection pattern of sleep and caries development in adolescent (Lundgren, Öhrn
and Jönsson, 2016). It has been seen that evening type people are commonly associated with
high risk of developing dental caries. Dagys et al believe that some emotional problem can
disturb the pattern of sleep among the people (Dagys et al., 2012). Fonken and Nelson state
that proper circadian rhythm is very necessary form growth and development of the individual
(Fonken and Nelson, 2014). There are several genes that control the sleeping pattern of human
being. Erren explained that night shift has been associated with increased risk of breast cancer
among women (Erren, 2013). Wheaton, Chapman and Croft explained that insufficient sleep
can lead to development of variety of disorders (Wheaton, Chapman and Croft, 2016). It could
decreases the academic performance, decrease the moral and person may not be able to
concentrate. Simpson, Gibbs and Matheson conducted a study on an athletes and find that
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athletes are more commonly associated with sleeping disorder due to training period (Simpson,
Gibbs and Matheson, 2017).
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