Changes to a sleep-wake cycle Flashcards
What is a circadian phase disorder?
sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s circadian rhythm’s are disrupted
How can you characterize a circadian phase disorder?
inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep
- mismatch between sleep wake cycle and their life schedule
What factors influence a circadian phase disorder?
- genetics
- age
- jet lag
- adolescence
- lifestyle factors
- shift work
What does genetics do in a circadian phase disorder?
- identical twins have similar sleep patterns than fraternal
- females tend to need more sleep than males
What does age do in the circadian phase disorder?
- children need more sleep to function properly
- adults need less sleep to function properly
What does jet lag do in the circadian phase disorder?
- can result in difficulty sleeping and reduced alertness
- caused by travelling between different time zones = internal body clock does not match with the external environment
Where is best to travel is jet lag?
west is best
What does lifestyle do to the circadian phase disorder?
- shiftwork
- stressful jobs
- active vs inactive lifestyle
What occurs to adolescence in the circadian phase disorder?
- melatonin is released 1-2 hours later due to the light
= results in later sleep wake cycles = (delayed sleep onset)
Why does delayed sleep onset occur?
melatonin is released 1-2 hours later and is controlled by light factors
- affected by homework and screen time etc
What does shift work do in the circadian phase disorder?
working outside the normal 9-5 job
= harder to sleep during the day
= sleepiness during working hours and reduced alertness
What is jet lag?
travelling between different time zones
- internal body clock doesn’t match up with environment
What is the shift in adolescence?
sleep/wake cycle being shifted later into the night = causes inadequate sleep or sleep deprivation
= melatonin is released 1-2 hours later due to light factors
What is shift work?
working outside the normal 9-5
= cause sleep deprivation
