Everything You Need to Know about Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder
What is Circadian Rhythm and How Does It Affect Your Sleep?
Your brain follow’s a 24-hour internal clock, which controls your sleep and alertness.
Its function depends upon the changes taking place in your environment.
It determines all activities you perform, such as when it gets dark and when it’s daylight, it also tracks your other physical activities, eating habits and digestion, change of body temperature and your sleeping pattern.
When your biological clock is disrupted, your sleep-wake cycle suffers.
For example, when the night falls, your circadian cycle signals your body to sleep; however, if you fail to do so, your sleep quality suffers, leading to Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder or Sleep-Wake Cycle Disorder.
In addition to that, your sleep-wake cycle is controlled by your body’s circadian rhythm, that could influence hormone release such as melatonin.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) tells your body, or more specifically, the pineal gland, to release melatonin, which causes your body to fall asleep.
The release of melatonin is dependent on the environment surrounding you.
Jet lag and frequent changes in work shifts are two major factors that affect circadian rhythm.
It may also contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Circadian rhythm changes can also contribute to insomnia and excessive daytime sleeping.
It is also common in patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
The study of circadian rhythms dates back to the 18th century, and numerous studies have been conducted to demonstrate the behavior of circadian clocks in mice, fruit flies, and other mammals, including the following:
What are the Main Types of Circadian Rhythm Disorder?
There are 6 main types of circadian rhythm sleep disorder:
What are the Symptoms of a Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder?
If you are facing issues in falling asleep and believe that it might be due to circadian rhythm sleep disorder, the following are the symptoms:
Who is at Risk for a Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder?
There are certain medical conditions that increase the risk of developing a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. The major ones include:
How is a Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder Treated?
There are two ways in which you can force your circadian rhythm to tick as you want it to.
These include medications and homecare.
Depressant Medication
The most commonly used supplements are benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics, Orexin receptor antagonists, and Provigil, which are self-administered or prescribed by a doctor.
While the most common treatment for jetlag or short-term sleep disorder is an over-the-counter melatonin supplement.
Home Care
If you want to get your sleep cycle back to normal without using medication, there are a few tips and tricks you can try
Summary
Most of the time, a lack of awareness of sleep disorders can contribute to the worsening of the condition.
There are also several cases where self-acceptance of the condition is an issue, causing the diagnosis to be delayed.
It is best to consult your healthcare provider if you believe your sleeping condition is interfering with your daily life.
