Your internal clock plays a major role in your overall health and how your body functions. It is called your circadian rhythm. It affects everything from your hormones and digestion to your mood and cognitive function. When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, you can feel less than great. This is because your body has to work much harder to maintain balance. When left unaddressed, this can affect your overall health in various ways. Below you will find detailed information on why disruptions to your internal clock affect overall health.
Why Disruptions to Your Internal Clock Affect Overall Health
Understanding how your internal clock works can help you protect your long-term health. It can also help you understand the warning signs and when to get help. Many people have sleep issues that require treatment. Circadian rhythm disorders are more common than you would expect. However, there are effective treatment options that can get you back to feeling like yourself again.
Understanding Your Internal Clock
Your internal clock runs on a 24-hour cycle. The system tells your body when to sleep and when to wake. A small area of your brain controls the circadian rhythm. That part of the brain is responsible for responding to light, daily habits, and biological signals. When your internal clock is in alignment, daily life moves smoothly. Your overall health is generally good. However, disruptions to your internal clock can negatively impact your life.
Disruptions occur when your brain receives missed messages. Temporary disruptions include travelling to different time zones, staying up too late one night, or getting up really early. These are common issues that can be easily overcome once the disruption ends. However, long-term disruptions that go unaddressed can lead to serious issues. For example, staying on your screen all night, varying sleep schedules, eating late at night, and working non-traditional shifts. These conflicting signals can cause misalignment that can seriously impact your overall health if left unaddressed.
Long-Term Impacts Associated with Circadian Rhythm Descriptions
When your internal clock is out of sync, your body struggles in various ways. This can impact your health and your overall quality of life. Early intervention is key for sleep issues. Below are some common impacts associated with disruptions to your internal clock.
Daytime Fatigue
When your internal clock is disrupted, your body has difficulty adjusting. This can make it difficult for your body to know when to fall asleep and wake up. Over time, this leads to poor sleep. You may not be logging enough hours of sleep, or the quality is poor. This results in daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and reduced productivity. This makes it extremely difficult to go to work or school. Your body requires sleep for repair. This is essential for your mental and physical health.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Your circadian rhythm impacts several hormones. This includes melatonin, cortisol, and growth hormones. When the circadian rhythm is impacted, hormones become unbalanced. Low melatonin makes it much more difficult to fall asleep. Fluctuations in cortisol impact metabolism and increase stress. Cortisol changes can also raise your blood pressure. A reduction in growth hormone production slows tissue repair and muscle recovery. It can also impact your energy and metabolism. The disruption to your hormones can have a serious impact on your daily life and overall health.
Reduced Immunity
Your immune system helps protect you from illness. When your internal clock is off, it weakens your immune system. This increases your likelihood of getting sick. If you do get sick, it is much more difficult to fully recover. Disruptions in circadian rhythms increase inflammation in the body. Untreated inflammation is linked to several long-term health issues, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and mental health conditions. An unregulated internal clock can have profound effects on your immune system and long-term health.
Mental Health Risks
Your circadian rhythm strongly influences the chemicals in your brain. Serotonin and dopamine are the most impactful. When your sleep cycle is impacted, the chemicals in your brain become unbalanced. This can have a serious impact on your mental health. People experience anxiety, stress, and struggle to manage day-to-day stressors. Over time, this can lead to depression and other mood disorders. Maintaining a consistent schedule is essential for your mental health.
Cardiovascular Health Issues
Sleep plays a key role in the quality of your cardiovascular health. Your heart and blood vessels can be easily disrupted when your internal clock is off. It puts extra stress on the system, which can lead to high blood pressure and increased inflammation. If left untreated by a sleep specialist, this can lead to long-term cardiovascular issues. Irregular heartbeat, heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke are common.
When to Contact a Sleep Specialist
Sleep problems here and there are generally not a problem. A late night or early morning can be easily addressed by getting back to your routine. However, persistent sleep issues persist. Circadian rhythm disorders often develop slowly. You may not even realize it as it begins. If you have been struggling with sleep for 2 weeks or more, it is time to contact a sleep specialist. This includes struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or waking up too early. If you notice that you get enough sleep but feel groggy when you wake up, that is a problem.
Early intervention is essential for sleep issues. A sleep specialist can evaluate your symptoms and review your sleep habits. From there, they can create a customized treatment plan based on your needs. Each patient is uniquely different, so treatment options vary. Lifestyle changes or medications may be a part of your treatment plan. A specialist is equipped with the knowledge on how to restore your sleep, so you get back to feeling like yourself again.
Top Sleep Specialist for Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Sleep is an integral part of your overall health. If you are struggling with sleep, contact the Sleep MD team today to schedule your consultation!
