Disorders of the Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Phase Syndrome
A aspect of the biological requirement for rest is sleep. While we sleep, our bodies' numerous physiological processes essentially come to a halt, allowing us to restore and strengthen the areas of our system that have been used the most.
But picture a system so messed up that our regular wake-and-sleep schedules are completely rearranged. Some people have a natural tendency to go to bed early and get up early, while others have trouble sleeping and wind up staying up late.
These and other sleep-related issues are symptoms of Circadian Rhythm Syndrome, which is characterized by a biological clock that isn't working properly. The human body is structurally structured in distinct cycles that repeat every 24 hours; these cycles are known as circadian activity.
day vs. night cycle
Similar to how Earth revolves around the sun in a 24-hour cycle, our bodies also operate on a 24-hour schedule. Charismatically, all living things adhere to these cyclical cycles of activity and rest so that their bodies can work in harmony with their surroundings.
It turns out that our internal clocks function very differently from what we observe outside, even though humans seem to function in a 24-hour world.
It demonstrates that, physiologically speaking, humans act quite similarly to being in a 25-hour setting. This notion is likely explained by humans' unwillingness to wake up at a specified time and their tendency to sleep late at night.
In order to make up for this difference, the body employs time "cues" to successfully counteract this asynchronous rhythm. When we program an alarm to go off at a same time each day, it forces our bodies to wake up at the same time every day, much like a clock.
Shades of Gray vs.
When it comes to the 24-hour activity period, the deciding factor is light and temperature. The region of the brain responsible for regulating your heart rate and breathing is particularly sensitive to changes in light levels.
It has long been known that the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the primary site of our biological clock.
A component of the autonomous nervous system, the hypothalamus regulates the activity of involuntary organs in complex animals such as humans. "Involuntary" means that they are not controlled by a person's free will. Pulse, heart rate, and digestion in the intestines are all part of this.
Light, SCN, and Eyes
Notably, SCN is situated right above the optic chiasma, which is a cross. The term "optic chiasma" refers to the spot where the optic nerve fibers converge and intersect.
As one method an organism receives such a physical communication, it is reasonable to assume that light entering the eye through the pupil causes people to go into a wake-and-sleep cycle.
While the retina (the part of the eye responsible for storing the first image of an object) absorbs light, an optic fiber transmits the picture to the brain through regular electrical pulses.
The optic fibers transmit this one-of-a-kind sensory impulse to the brain's occipital lobe, which is located in the back of the brain, where it is processed as visual information. The optic chiasma's closeness to the SCN may allow the hypothalamus to "feel" the referred electrical impulses.
Causes and Symptoms of Circadian Rhythm Disorders
The frequency and timing of awakenings and naps determine the specific form that a circadian rhythm disorder takes. Some causes changes in the duration of the day and night, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome is characterized by a propensity to go to sleep later in the day and wake up later in the morning. Insomnia, the abnormal inability to get a sufficient quantity of sleep because one cannot fall asleep at the appropriate time each night, is common among these people.
But some folks, particularly the elderly, tend to go to bed at about 7:00 PM and wake up at about 1:00 or 2:00 AM. This is a sign of Familial Advanced Sleep-Phase Syndrome, which is characterized by abnormalities in the body's natural circadian cycles.
In humans, melatonin levels are thought to play a role in determining the severity of sleep problems. Research on mammals has shown that when light levels drop, the hormone melatonin is released into the bloodstream.
This suggests that the secretion of melatonin is more during the dark and less during the light. Everyone has a natural 24-hour sleep/wake cycle, and this theory assumes that melatonin plays a role in that cycle.
Some suggestions
Based on what we know from the previous section, it's safe to say that light has an effect on our sleeping and waking cycles. Keeping these ideas in mind, be diligent about sticking to your sleep routine and putting things that aren't essential aside.
For better sleep, make sure your room is as dark and dreary as may be. Disrupting your slumber, colorful items pique your senses. Make sure it's well-ventilated and cooled.
Sleeping causes a decrease in core body temperature and the quick production of the neurotransmitter melatonin, according to research.
Remember to consult a doctor if your illness worsens, and bear those items in mind.
