Choose Location

We provide care in three easily-accessible locations across the Rio Grande Valley.

Weslaco

1604 East 8th St., Suite A
Weslaco, TX
Phone: (956) 447-5557

McAllen

5300 North McColl Rd., Suite 100
McAllen, TX
Phone: (956) 630-1000

Mission

1022 E. Griffin Pkwy.
Mission, TX 78572
Phone: (956) 833-6000

Sleep

Circadian Rhythm
Disorders

Circadian rhythms help to control when individuals feel awake and when they feel sleepy. Disruptions in these rhythms can lead to significant sleep issues and daytime sleepiness great enough to interfere with work, school, and relationships.

There are several types of circadian rhythm disorders from which patients may suffer. In Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder, a significant delay in the phase of the major sleep episode in relation to the desired or required sleep time and wake-up time manifests. The afflicted individual generally does not feel sleepy until the early morning hours and prefers sleeping until the late morning or early afternoon. Adolescents are particularly afflicted with this sleep complaint/pattern.

In Advanced Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder, individuals feel tired and sleepy early in the evening and generally have their final awakenings in the early morning. The likelihood of this pattern increases with increasing age. Other Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders include Non-24 Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder, Shift Work Disorder, Jet-Lag Disorder, and Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder.

How Do You Know If You Have A Circadian Rhythm Disorder?

Your sleep problems and symptoms will help guide your sleep professional in diagnosing a circadian rhythm disorder. In addition, you may be asked to keep a sleep diary for a few weeks and wear a wrist device that tracks aspects of your sleep.

You may also require certain sleep studies in order to confirm a diagnosis and rule out other sleep disorders (such as central sleep apnea). Multiple tools are available to our Center’s Sleep Specialists to assess sleep-wake patterns, assist in the diagnosis of a specific sleep-wake disorder, and offer treatment plans for the mitigation of your sleep problems.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders Treatment

There are several treatments available to patients who suffer from circadian rhythm disorders. The approach that works best for you will depend upon factors such as which type of disorder you have. Potential treatments include lifestyle changes that include developing healthy sleep habits and an effective exercise routine.

Other treatments that may help your disorder include bright light therapy intended to reset your internal circadian clock, medications to encourage sleep, and chronotherapy, during which your sleep time is gradually advanced or delayed in order to reset your internal clock.

Resources

You may find additional helpful health information at one of these websites: