Chrono-physiology Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is circadian rhythm
Body clocks - central and peripheral
Disruptions of circadian rhythm
Jetlag
Shiftwork
Health impacts
Chronobiology
The study of biological rhythms
Circannual
> 1 year
Circamensal
~ 1 month
Infradian
> 24 hours
Circadian
~ 24 hours
Ultradian
< 24 hours
Describe zeitgebers
The body clock in entrained to these which are “time givers”
Zeitgebers examples
Light-dark cycle
Food
Social interaction
Work schedule
Exercise
Divide the body clock into two parts
Central (suprachiasmatic nucleus)
Peripheral (cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, immune, reproductive)
Describe dim light melatonin onset
- Melatonin production increases in the evening
- Melatonin levels peak in the middle of the night
- Melatonin levels fall to normal daytime low by early morning
Desynchronization of circadian rhythm causes
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
inability to sleep - indigestion/nausea
Poor mental performance
Irritability
Poor physical performance
Headaches
Disorientation
Mental confusion
Describe East and West travels
West is easier to adjust, east is harder
Why is west easier?
Less symptoms
Difficulty staying asleep
Easier for owls
Why is east harder?
More symptoms
Difficulty falling asleep
Easier for larks
Ways to adjust to jetlag
Short naps
Melatonin supplementation
Meal timing and composition
Bright-light exposure
Physical activity and relaxation
Shift work and sleep debt acute problems
Decreased attention
Impaired sports performance
Worsened mood
Poor memory consolidation
Higher accident rates due to increased sleep inertia and decreased vigilance
Learning deficits in adolescents due to disturbed sleep patterns
Shift work and sleep debt long term problems
Atherosclerosis
Dyslipidemia
Insulin resistance
Inactivity
Smoking
Excess weight
Cardiovascular disease
Metabolic disease
Coronary disease
Cancers
