A Change In Circadian Gene May Bring Change In Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

Delayed sleep phase syndrome is one of the most common sleep disorders which usually begins in adolescence and as a habit remains most of the life. It brings substantial change in the sleep-wake cycle of the body. It may significantly hamper scholastic and occupational achievements of a young adult. Treatments with melatonin and bright light therapy amplified by change in lifestyle and routine behavior of the day may be effective in controlling this sleep disorder. Though, there is always a maximum chance of relapse even after the treatment.

History Of DSPS And Taxonomy

In 1979, a group of researchers and clinicians from Montefiore medical university in New York and Stanford university school of medicine firstly discovered symptoms of delayed sleep phase syndrome. The same group then continued with further studies of this sleep disorder and carried pathophysiology treatment to 6 to 30 patients. At that time they named it as American Sleep Disorders Association 1997. The current name described in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders is circadian rhythm sleep disorder, delayed sleep phase type; and the preferred common name was termed as delayed sleep phase order by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine 2005.

Pathophysiology Of DSPS

Molecular oscillators are active in almost every cell in the organism. They are responsible in regulating circadian genes and secrete chemicals in response to light and temperature changes.  In the absence of a master clock, myriad peripherals produces a cacophony of rhythms that would make help coordinate circadian rhythm. The basic pattern of delayed sleep phase syndrome was originally explained by the delayed phase of sleep-onset which is caused by the change in circadian sleep-wake cycle. They showed a relatively weak ability to advance the phases of circadian rhythm in response to normal environmental time cues. It usually happens because a person suffering with delayed sleep phase syndrome may sleep at right time but awake late and may sleep late and wake up late. You can say that delayed sleep wake syndrome is caused by a complex relationship and the phase angle between the circadian rhythm and the sleep wake cycle. Patients always become fugitive to their inability to sleep at right time. They repeatedly and forcefully try to fall asleep early in order to cope up with their morning chores but it only brings frustration and anger. This set of action often brings in psychophysiological insomnia which adds to their inability to fall asleep at conventional hours.

Basic Preventions

The severity of delayed sleep phase syndrome may be prevented by having a good knowledge about your sleep schedule. The duration of symptoms can be modified by better education about importance of sleep in school health curriculum and in medical schools. Though this has not been experimentally addressed but it can bring many positive changes. Take proper care about your eating and drinking habits too. Drinking alcohol at bed time, smoking and caffeine in your diet especially found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks may also be responsible for your inability to sleep at time and its habit may put you to risk to such sleep disorders.