Khaberni - A recent scientific study revealed a worrying relationship between permanent night shift work and an increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome.
The study, conducted by researchers from Jiaotong University in China, was based on analyzing data from more than 266,000 participants from the UK Biobank, and arrived at interesting findings during a follow-up period of nine years.
The researchers identified 5,218 new cases of irritable bowel syndrome, concluding that individuals who permanently work night shifts are 36% more likely to develop this condition compared to their colleagues who don't work these shifts. Notably, this increased risk was more pronounced among overweight workers.
However, those who work irregular night shifts did not show a significant increase in the risk of developing the disease.
Scientists explain this phenomenon through several biological mechanisms, whereby disruption of the biological clock due to night work leads to a series of changes in the body. These changes include an imbalance of beneficial gut bacteria, disturbances in digestive system motility, an increase in low-level intestinal inflammation, as well as a decrease in the secretion of the melatonin hormone, which plays a crucial role in protecting the digestive system.
Researchers advise individuals at risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome, especially those who are overweight, to avoid permanent night shift work as much as possible and maintain regularity in their body's biological clock. They also emphasize the need for further long-term studies to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind this relationship.
It is worth mentioning that irritable bowel syndrome affects up to 7.6% of the population worldwide, causing chronic symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and bowel movement disorders, which negatively impact daily life quality and work productivity.
