Insomnia Revealed

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Circadian rhythm sleep disorder was born from the moment man invented artificial light. Ages ago, our ancestors only had the sun to tell time and provide light. So our ancestors used to sleep as the sun sets and rose as the sun rises. Currently, we not only have artificial light, the shift towards a 24-hour society also gives birth to the prevalence of shift work sleep disorder. This is a type of circadian rhythm sleep disorder.

In the United States alone, an estimated 15 million people worked full-time on irregular schedules in 2004. These include the night shift, evening shift, rotating shifts or other employer arranged irregular schedules. This number is expected to grow much larger as time passes due to economic demands. Both shift work and long work hours have been associated with health and safety risks. Some people have to live with both at the same time.

Circadian rhythm sleep disorder explained.

Our bodies have a schedule of their own every day. This schedule is called the biological clock. This drives the circadian rhythm. Having constantly changing or unconventional work schedules disrupts the body’s normal daily cycle. This disruption causes a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. People with this disorder are unable to sleep and wake at the times required for normal work. Generally, they do get enough sleep if allowed to sleep and wake at the times dictated by their body clocks. Their sleep time is unconventional. But unless they have other sleep disorders, their sleep quality is normal.

To get an over-all view of Insomnia, click this image to go to our Insomnia Overview page. It gives a clear view of the causes, effects, and treatments for insomnia.

Two types of circadian rhythm sleep disorders exist. They are either extrinsic or intrinsic. The extrinsic type has two disorders.

Jet lag affects people who travel across several time zones.

Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) affects people who work nights or rotating shifts.

Intrinsic type consists of four.

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) is for “night people” who have circadian clocks that run late but reliably. Usually adolescents have this condition. People with DSPS fall asleep very late at night or in early morning hours. Nevertheless, they sleep normally.

Advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS) tends to develop in older people. It produces excessive sleepiness in the morning. It also causes undesired awakening (around 3-5 a.m.) in the morning.

Non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome is when a person’s sleep occurs later and later each day. The period of peak alertness also continuously moves around the clock from day to day.

Irregular sleep-wake pattern appears as sleeping at very irregular times. People who have this usually sleep more than once a day. They wake up frequently during the night and take naps during the day. The total time asleep, however, is typical for the person’s age.

Hummingbirds, larks and owls exist.

People who have normal circadian rhythms whether they’re hummingbirds, larks or owls sleep adequately. Hummingbirds are people who still follow the 24-hour solar cycle.  Larks are morning people. Owls are night people. They can sleep and wake at the same time every day if they want and are allowed to. However, everyday activities and responsibilities usually prevent this from being so.

Main symptom of circadian rhythm sleep disorder is unusual timing of sleep-wake cycle. Other symptoms include insomnia, headaches, difficulty concentrating, excessive sleepiness, impaired functioning and depressed mood.

Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder.

Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is getting more and more popular. As the demand of economies all over the world continue to grow. More and more people are acquiring this disorder. This is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that both shift worker and employers have to tackle. Understanding and overcoming this disorder just might be the key to a flawless 24/7 society.

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