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Circadian rhythm disorders, commonly referred to as sleep-wake cycle disorders, are problems that develop when your body's biological clock, which signals when it's time to sleep or wake up, is out of sync with your surroundings.
Every 24 hours, your circadian clock, often known as an internal clock, cycles. The term circadian rhythm refers to these continuous 24-hour periods. A cycle of light and darkness over 24 hours determines your typical circadian rhythm.
When you sleep and wake up, there are only two examples of how important it is. This cycle is connected to patterns in hormone synthesis, cell regrowth, brain wave patterns, and other activities.
Circadian Rhythm Disorder: What is it?
Different physiological processes depend on the circadian rhythm. This rhythm aids in regulating hormone activity, feeding, digestion, and body temperature, in addition to sleep. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a collection of proteins that make up the master circadian clock, is located in the hypothalamus of the brain.
The clock resets to a healthy adult every 24 hours based on cycles of light and darkness. The feeling of drowsiness will peak in the evening when it is dark outside for a healthy individual who wakes up in the morning.
With age, a person's sleep pattern alters and evolves. Teenagers frequently stay up later than both children and adults. As we age, we usually go to bed earlier and wake up earlier in the day.
A circadian rhythm disorder develops when the body's internal timing mechanism is altered, the clock is unable to synchronize with the body's external environment on average every 24 hours, or both.
Although the symptoms of these illnesses can vary, the majority of them result in excessive daytime sleepiness. The inability to get or stay asleep is known as insomnia, which is another problem frequently linked to these disorders.
Types of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
The following are the types of various forms of Circadian Rhythm Disorders:
1) Rapid time zone transition syndrome, sometimes known as Jet Lag
This encompasses symptoms including too much tiredness and a lack of daytime alertness in those who travel across time zones. Crossing more time zones makes things worse, especially when going east.
2) Shift work sleep disorder
Shift work sleep disorder affects people who routinely rotate shifts or work late at night. An individual may receive up to 4 hours less sleep per night than the average person due to a mismatch between their circadian rhythm and the timing of their shift.
3) Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS)
This is a sleep-timing disorder. Individuals with DSPS frequently sleep through the night and struggle to get up in time for work, school, or social engagements. It is particularly prevalent among adolescents and young adults.
4) Advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS)
A person with this Circadian Rhythm Disorder goes to sleep earlier than desired and wakes up earlier than desired. For instance, they might go to bed between six and nine o'clock and awaken between one and five in the morning.
5) Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder
Due to the circadian clock being controlled by the light-dark cycle, people who are blind are frequently affected by this Circadian Rhythm Disorder. The cycle is thrown off by the circumstances. This may result in severe sleep loss, poor quality sleep, and daytime sleepiness.
Management of Circadian Rhythm Disorder
Depending on the precise diagnosis of the patient, the majority of therapies place a strong emphasis on the importance of good sleep habits, a comfortable sleeping environment, and a regular sleep-wake cycle. For those with these conditions, these variables can increase entrainment and lessen sleep deprivation.
Melatonin supplements may be used in the treatment of circadian rhythm disorder. To promote sensations of sleepiness, these supplements should be given by a medical professional and taken at predetermined times.
Your circadian rhythm and synchronization schedule can be successfully reoriented with carefully timed melatonin doses. To make sure you are healthy enough to use melatonin, always check with a doctor before doing so.
Circadian rhythm disorder is brought on by regular or irregular sleep pattern disruption. Circadian rhythm sleep disturbances come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each has distinctive qualities. The sort of sleep disturbance you have and how much it impairs your quality of life will determine the best course of action.
If you observe any modifications to your sleep pattern or have any queries regarding your treatment or other treatment options, don't be reluctant to get in touch with your health professional.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
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