Does Disruption in Circadian Rhythm Increase our Risk for Sleep Apnea?

    What is the association between circadian rhythm disruption and an increased likelihood of sleep apnea, and how might this relationship inform strategies for preventing and treating sleep apnea?

    We had a research seminar on circadian rhythm disruption and human health by Phyllis Zee. Phyllis Zee's research on circadian disruption and human health highlights the connection between disruptions to the body's natural 24-hour clock and various health disorders. Zee's work shows that disruptions to circadian rhythms can cause sleep disorders, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer, mood disorders, and other health problems. This link exists because the circadian rhythm affects many physiological processes, including hormone production, metabolism, and immune function. Zee's research emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm to prevent or manage these health disorders.

    Disruption of circadian rhythms can affect the timing and quality of sleep and can also lead to changes in the physiological processes that regulate breathing during sleep. Specifically, circadian rhythms help regulate the levels of hormones and other factors that influence the tone of the upper airway muscles and the responsiveness of the respiratory control system. When circadian rhythms are disrupted, these factors can become imbalanced, leading to increased airway collapsibility, and decreased respiratory drive during sleep. This, in turn, can increase a person's likelihood of developing sleep apnea or exacerbating existing sleep apnea symptoms.

    Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where patients experience interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can lead to disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle and a reduction in sleep quality. This can cause daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and other health problems. Circadian rhythm disruption can also affect sleep quality and exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms. Disruptions to the body's natural 24-hour clock, such as those caused by shift work, jet lag, or artificial light exposure at night, can alter the timing and duration of sleep, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Moreover, some studies have suggested that sleep apnea may disrupt circadian rhythm. For example, individuals with sleep apnea may have lower levels of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness and is closely tied to the circadian rhythm.

    One research study that demonstrates a connection between disrupted circadian rhythms and increased likelihood of sleep apnea is "Circadian Rhythms, Metabolism, and Sleep Disruptions: Moving from Associations to Mechanisms to Identify Novel Strategies for Reducing Risk of Metabolic Dysregulation and Sleep Disorders" by Morris et al. (2019). The study reviewed several epidemiological and experimental studies that found an association between circadian rhythm disruption and an increased likelihood of sleep apnea and other metabolic and sleep disorders. For example, some studies found that shift workers and individuals with irregular sleep schedules were more likely to have sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, potentially due to the adverse effects of circadian rhythm disruption on respiratory control and upper airway muscle tone. Other studies have shown that interventions to regulate circadian rhythms, such as bright light therapy and melatonin supplementation, can improve sleep quality and reduce sleep apnea severity. Overall, this study stresses the importance of considering circadian rhythm disruptions as a risk factor for sleep apnea and other related conditions and suggests that interventions to restore normal circadian rhythms could be an effective strategy for preventing and treating sleep apnea.

    Overall, treating circadian rhythm disruption may be an essential strategy for reducing sleep apnea cases, and this area warrants further investigation and attention in the healthcare field.