Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome May Also Imbalance Your Body Temperature

Biological clock is responsible for our sleep activities. Our body clock is located in the brain and it has a period of 24 hours. During these 24 hours, we have about 6 to 10 hours of sleep time and the rest time we are usually awake performing our day to day activities. Out of these remaining hours we have only 4 to 6 hours where our brain works at its full efficiency and with full concentration. So we should plan our day in such a way that sleep comes at the time of maximum sleepiness.

DSPS And Adolescents

Delayed sleep phase disorder is a sleep disorder where an individual finds it difficult to cope up with his normal sleeping hours. It is mostly found in adolescents. An individual suffering with DSPS often tends to keep his learning activities late at night. For example an individual often goes to bed by 3 or 5 am and find it difficult to wake up in the morning. They often keep alarms to wake up at 7 or 8 am to go to school or college and it becomes a very impulsive everyday routine. They often divide their sleep into two modules. Firstly, they tend to take few hour naps in the night. Lastly, they often sleep after coming back from work and late in the evening they regain vigor and then wake up late night to do their studies.

Factors Contributing To DSPS

There are many factors that are responsible for delayed sleep phase syndrome. Few of the following are quite common factors:-

• There is a habitual imbalance of sleep timing. This increases the period of the body clock to 25 hours mechanism showing a delay of one hour in the normal sleep routine.
• The dependency of sleeping late at night often restricts individuals to follow a normal day routine. This hampers their body as they are not able to expose much natural light, which plays an important role in regulating the body cycle.
• Electric light, late night shift work and lifestyle of the individual also contribute to delayed sleep phase syndrome.

Body Temperature And DSPS

People suffering with delayed sleep phase syndrome often find it difficult to synchronize with their 24 hours sleep cycle. People suffering with DSPS also suffer with changes in their body temperature. Body temperature also varies with the circadian rhythm. Our body temperature often rises in the evening and falls in the night. There is an overall range of 1° to 2° F. Improper sleep and the lack of ability to sleep at normal hours often gives rise to many problems which may not be visible or felt but it may affect you in a longer run.

Always Insist On Consulting A Doctor

Many people often deny the fact that are a victim of delayed sleep phase syndrome and often term themselves as lazy or fatigue, this denial is often encouraged by friend and family members.  But this may not be true as lot of people still have no clue about any such sleep disorder. Always insist on consulting a doctor about your sleeping problems.