Latest news with #RobertMaidstone
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Decoding the findings of a study linking night shifts with asthma problems in women
A recent study has found a correlation between working night shifts and asthma, especially in women. The study, 'Increased risk of asthma in female night shift workers' published in ERJ Open Research, based its findings on cross-sectional data from over 2,80,000 U.K. Biobank participants. The study builds on previous research that had found a higher risk of moderate or severe asthma in night shift employees. Researchers found that 5.3 per cent of the workers had asthma, with 1.9 per cent suffering from moderate or severe asthma (taking an asthma-preventer inhaler and at least one other asthma treatment, such as an oral steroid). The study's findings Led by Robert Maidstone of the University of Manchester, U.K., the study found that women who worked night shifts were more prone to moderate to severe asthma. Women who only worked night shifts were found to be around 50 per cent more likely to suffer from moderate or severe asthma compared to women who only worked in the daytime. Although it has been established that more adult women than men are prone to asthma the reason for this has been elusive. The researchers believe that testosterone, the male sex hormone, has a protective effect that prevents asthma triggers in men, and suggested that post-menopausal women could opt for hormone replacement therapy as it appears to have a protective effect. What is asthma? Asthma is a major noncommunicable disease (NCD), affecting both children and adults, and is the most common chronic disease among children. Inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs cause asthma symptoms, which can be any combination of cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Inhaled medication can control asthma symptoms and allow people with asthma to lead a normal, active life. Avoiding asthma triggers can also help to reduce asthma symptoms. Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Source: WHO R. Sridharan, a Chennai-based specialist in treating allergies, concurs with the findings of the study. He explains that our body is regulated by the circadian rhythm (the internal clock managing the sleep-wake process). When a person's circadian rhythm changes as in the case of those working night shifts, they end up suffering from a number of health issues which could include acid reflux, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea, besides hormonal changes. This can have a number of effects including increasing the chances of getting asthma, Dr. Sridharan said. While asthma can be triggered by allergies and pollution, obesity too, is linked with an increased risk of developing for asthma according to the United States National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 'Obesity is common due to loss of normal sleep patterns,' said Dr. Sridharan, adding: 'What I am seeing is night duty people have more asthma and less controlled asthma and are prone for many asthma triggers,' he adds. Allergies, he says, are linked to low levels of immunity, again caused by disruptions to sleep and inadequate sleep, which could then trigger asthma. Dr. Sridharan however points out that as a specialist, of 30 patients in a day, he sees 25 with asthma, and both men and women and equally prone to the condition. Pulmonologist M. Koushik Muthu Raja said he had treated a few persons who work night shifts and presented with severe asthma. 'We have not understood the correlation in India because we don't have that many cases presented to our clinic so far,' he says. Asthma cannot be directly linked to night shifts, he explains, as there may be other reasons -- pollen allergies, colds and humidity -- with some individuals having more episodes in summer, while some others have increased episodes in winter. Besides, the standard guidelines for asthma have not listed night shifts as a risk factor as yet, he points out. 'We need to wait for larger studies from India in order to establish such a link. We need in-depth, robust randomised studies to find a direct correlation. A similar, large-scale study in India would help to understand the correlation between asthma and night shifts,' he says. According to the WHO, asthma cannot be cured but there are several treatments available. The most common treatment is to use an inhaler, which delivers medication directly to the lungs. Inhalers can help control the disease and enable people with asthma to enjoy a normal, active life, it says.
NDTV
16-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Women On Night Shifts Face Higher Asthma Risk: Study
New Delhi: Women who work nightshifts are more likely to suffer from moderate or severe asthma compared to women who work in the daytime, according to a study of more than 270,000 people. However, the study, published in ERJ Open Research, found no such link between asthma and working nightshifts in men. The risk of asthma in men did not alter according to whether they worked days or nights. Women who only work nightshifts were around 50 per cent more likely to suffer from moderate or severe asthma compared to women who only work in the daytime. "Asthma disproportionately affects women. Women generally have more severe asthma, and a higher rate of hospitalisation and death from asthma compared to men," said Dr. Robert Maidstone from the University of Manchester, UK. "This is the first study to evaluate sex differences in the relationship between shift work and asthma. We found that permanent nightshift workers had higher odds of moderate-severe asthma when compared to corresponding day workers," he added. The study builds on previous research which found a higher risk of moderate or severe asthma in nightshift workers. To probe further, the team included a total of 274,541 working people and found that 5.3 per cent of those had asthma, with 1.9 per cent suffering from moderate or severe asthma (meaning they were taking an asthma-preventer inhaler and at least one other asthma treatment, such as an oral steroid). Overall, the research found that women who work shifts are more likely to have asthma. While the research did not explain the link between shift work and asthma, the researchers said, "it could be because shift work disrupts the body clock, including the levels of male and female sex hormones". High testosterone has previously been shown to be protective against asthma, so lower testosterone in women could play a role. Alternatively, men and women work different types of shift jobs, and this could be a factor, the researchers said. In postmenopausal women, the risk of moderate or severe asthma was almost doubled in night workers, compared to day workers, in those not taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). "Our results suggest that HRT might be protective against asthma for nightshift workers, however further research is needed to test this hypothesis in prospective studies and randomised controlled trials," Maidstone said. The researchers next plan to study whether sex hormones play a role in the relationship between shift work and asthma.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Women who work night shifts are more likely to have THIS disease
A UK study reveals a health concern. Women working night shifts face a higher risk of asthma. The research, involving over 270,000 people, highlights this gender-specific link. Researchers at the University of Manchester led the study. They found no similar connection in men. The findings suggest a need for further investigation. Experts propose exploring hormonal and occupational factors. I n a world that never sleeps, humans, too, have adapted to live and work around the clock. Just like men, women often find themselves working odd shifts, including the night shift. But guess what? Although such odd shifts may benefit their careers, they also come with numerous health risks. Women on night shifts are especially prone to illnesses. A new study found that women who work night shifts are more likely to suffer from asthma compared to those who work in the regular daytime. Drawbacks of women working night shifts The study is led by researchers at the University of Manchester, UK. The findings are published in the ERJ Open Research. The study involved more than 270,000 people and found that women working night shifts are more likely to suffer from moderate or severe asthma. However, they found no such link between asthma and working night shifts in men. Dr Robert Maidstone, the lead researcher, in a statement, said, 'Asthma disproportionately affects women. Women generally have more severe asthma, and a higher rate of hospitalisation and death from asthma compared to men. In our previous research, we found a higher risk of moderate or severe asthma in nightshift workers, so we wanted to see whether there were further differences between the sexes.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo The study To investigate the relationship between night shifts and asthma in women, the researchers utilized data from the UK Biobank. They looked at 274,541 working people and found that 5.3% of these had asthma , with 1.9% suffering from moderate or severe asthma (meaning they were taking an asthma preventer inhaler and at least one other asthma treatment, such as an oral steroid). The researchers divided the women into three categories - those who worked only during the day, only nightshifts, or a combination of the two. What did they find The findings were shocking. They found that women who work shifts are more likely to have asthma. Women who only work night shifts were around 50% more likely to suffer from moderate or severe asthma compared to those who work in the daytime. 'This is the first study to evaluate sex differences in the relationship between shift work and asthma. We found that permanent night shift workers had higher odds of moderate-severe asthma when compared to corresponding day workers. This type of research cannot explain why shift work and asthma are linked; however, it could be because shift work disrupts the body clock, including the levels of male and female sex hormones. High testosterone has previously been shown to be protective against asthma, and so lower testosterone in women could play a role. Alternatively, men and women work different types of shift jobs, and this could be a factor,' Dr Maidstone said. The researchers also found that the risk was almost double in postmenopausal women, compared to day workers, in those not taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). King Charles' Cancer CONFIRMED As 'Incurable'? Royal Health Secret Finally Revealed | Shocking Update 'Our results suggest that HRT might be protective against asthma for nightshift workers; however, further research is needed to test this hypothesis in prospective studies and randomised controlled trials,' Dr Maidstone added. 'Asthma is a common, long-term condition that affects millions of people worldwide. We know that women are more likely to have asthma, to have worse asthma, and are more likely to die from asthma, but we do not fully understand why. This research suggests that working night shifts could be a risk factor for asthma in women, but not in men. The majority of workers will not have an easy option of switching their shift pattern, so we need further research to verify and understand this link and find out what could be done to reduce the risk for women who work shifts,' Professor Florence Schleich from the European Respiratory Society's expert group on airway diseases, asthma, COPD and chronic cough, who is not part of the research commented. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
