Health Conditions
Circadian Disruption
Misalignment between the body's internal clock and external environment.
Circadian disruption occurs when the body's internal circadian rhythm becomes desynchronized from the external light-dark cycle. Common causes include shift work, jet lag, irregular sleep schedules, excessive evening light exposure (blue light from screens), and social jet lag (weekend-weekday schedule differences). Chronic circadian disruption is associated with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, depression, impaired immune function, and poor sleep quality. Interventions include strategic light exposure, consistent sleep-wake timing, melatonin supplementation (for phase-shifting), and limiting blue light exposure in the evening.