Circadian Rhythm Disturbances

Some people have their internal biologic clocks out of alignment with the usual 24 hour cycle of light and dark. These people cannot fall asleep until very late in the night or into the early morning hours and then have difficulty waking up for school or work in the morning and would tend to stay asleep until late morning or early afternoon. Others go to sleep early in the evening and then wake up in the early morning well before daybreak unable to fall back asleep. These sleep problems fall under the category of circadian rhythm disturbances. They are treated using such measures as exposure to bright light at certain times of the day or night depending on the specific complaint and in some cases are used in conjunction with medications that help control the body's internal clock. People who work Night Shifts and/or Rotating Shifts as well as people who travel across two (2) or more time zones (Time Zone Change) are especially prone to circadian rhythm disturbances.