Circadian Rhythm DisordersTreatments

by, The Center for Sleep Medicine

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders?

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder describes a category of sleep problems in which the primary factor is the timing of sleep and wake cycles

A person with a circadian rhythm disorder may have difficulty sleeping at a time they need to sleep, difficulty rising when the need to rise, and difficulty maintaining alertness when they need to be awake.

Symptoms

Human beings are programmed to be awake and to be asleep for certain periods of time.

While you may categorize yourself as a “morning person,” “night person,” or even a “night owl,” based on when you find yourself most alert, your body seeks a sleep/wake homeostasis based on your biological clock or circadian rhythm.

Your need for sleep and wakefulness should be balanced out throughout the day, even though you may feel more alert at certain times.

Causes

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are triggered by multiple factors, but some of the majority factors include:

Jet lag Physical or mental health problems Medication Pregnancy Growth spurts in teenagers

Types

Shift Work Sleep Disorder Jet Lag Or Rapid Time Change Syndrome Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder  Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder  Non-24 Hour Sleep Wake Disorder

Why Seek Help For Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

For most people, it’s an advantage to have your internal body clock correspond to the schedule that the rest of the world follows.

For those affected with circadian rhythm sleep disorders, the real problem is the inability to perform well when needed

The goal of treatment for circadian rhythm sleep disorders is to adjust your sleep pattern to your schedule so that you get the rest you need.

Treating Sleep Disorders

Treating circadian rhythm sleep disorders starts with an evaluation and behavioural assessment by a sleep specialist at The Centre for Sleep Medicine.

Once your sleep specialist identifies the mix of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological factors involved your specific sleep disorder, it is possible to develop a treatment plan.