The Sleep Epidemic

According to research conducted by Boston Consulting Group in 2003,
it is estimated that almost 90% of the Australian population will experience a sleep disorder at some time in there life, with up to 30% suffering a severe sleep disorder. In fact very few people regularly enjoy the amount of quality sleep they need.

This is a significant public health issue with outcomes ranging from serious medical conditions, such as hypertension and myocardial infarction to increased workplace and traffic accidents.

While it may be difficult to quantify the exact cost to the community in health and productivity losese for these outcomes of poor sleep health, it is estimated to be between $3bn and $7bn annually. Recent study at UCSD confirms that chronic sleep problems can cut more than a decade from your life expectancy.

It wasn’t always like this.

Just a few decades ago, we took sleep for granted. Insomnia was uncommon, almost unheard of. What changed?

Why the increase in sleep problems?

Our lifestyles have changed dramatically over the last few decades. We are spending longer workdays, and when we relax, we spend most of our leisure time indoors. In fact, studies show that adult Australians are spending less than one hour outdoors each day, far less than in the past.

The problem is that the center in our brain that regulates sleep, depends on signals like bright sunlight and dusk to know when to tell us to wake up and go to sleep. And our lifestyles just don’t allow us to get these needed signals anymore.

Each of us has an internal body clock called the Suprachaismatic Nucleus, or body clock, that regulates daily sleep/wake patterns. The body clock depends on these light signals to function properly each day. When we don’t get these signals, our sleep/wake patterns suffer.

Circadian Rhythms Affect Sleep
Circadian Rhythms are our body’s natural cycles that control appetite, energy, mood, sleep and libido. The body clock uses signals like sunlight and darkness to know when to produce the active hormones and when to shut them down and release the nighttime withdrawal and sleep hormones. Since the body clock cycles through these hormones on a daily basis, these cycles are known as circadian rhythms (sir-kadian is Latin for ‘about a day’).When our body is out of sync with nature, we suffer from a Circadian Rhythm Disorder. Almost all of us, at some time during a year fall out of balance and suffer from sleep, mood or anxiety disorders.
If you struggle with sleep, mood or energy, a circadian rhythm disorder is probably a factor.

CRD's contribute to other sleep disorders

Circadian Rhythm Disorders keep our bodies from enjoying a complete or rejuvenating sleep. Because CRD's disrupt the sleep pattern, they may contribute to narcolepsy, sleep apnea, snoring, etc. Most people find these symptoms diminish when their circadian rhythms are working properly.

Body clock Assessment tool

If you experience difficulty sleeping or lack energy during the day, a circadian rhythm disorder may be contributing to your condition. You can now take a test to see if you have a circadian rhythm disorder. The assessment tool will let you know which circadian rhythm disorder you may have as well as its degree of severity. Since our body clocks react differently, this assessment tool will also develop a customized treatment schedule so you can respond as quickly as possible

you can learn more about various circadian related sleep disorders here