What does shift work do to your health?

Dr. Lekutat's answer:
When I was working in a hospital during my medical training I hated working shifts. I was always tired – during the shifts and the day after. And shift work is not only a drag - it can even be dangerous for your health. 80 percent of shift workers have chronic insomnia and many of them complain about stomach or heart problems. And it's harder to get pregnant if you're working shifts. Some researchers even suggest that shift work could cause cancer. So, what can you do about it? Not much, I have to admit. Try to get enough sleep, to eat a healthy diet and have an active social life. Some shift rotations are healthier than others, so speak to your employer to see if you could get on a healthier roster system.