Electric Lighting Hampers Proper Sleep at Night

A Harvard University researcher suggests that electric lighting in the evenings plays a disruptive role on our natural 24-hour body clock or "circadian rhythm" and affects our sleep.

The report, published in the journal Nature, states that electric lighting leaves us checking our mails or watching television during late evenings and keeps our body alert when it should be winding down for sleep.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders - Types, Causes, Health risks, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis
Circadian rhythm (also known as sleep/wake cycle or the body clock) is a biological process that follows an internal cycle of roughly 24 hours.

Study author Prof Charles Czeisler adds that the blue light using in televisions, computers and tablet screens has been proven to be more disruptive compared to traditional incandescent lighting and replacing this blue light with red or orange-enriched light in the evenings could reduce the impact of modern light on our bodies.

“Night-time exposure to LEDs is typically more disruptive to circadian rhythms, melatonin secretion and sleep than incandescent lighting. The adverse effects of night-time light on sleep and circadian rhythms can be reduced by replacing blue-enriched light with red- or orange- enriched white light after sunset”, Czeisler said.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Overview
Obstructive sleep apnea should be suspected in overweight middle aged adults who snore loudly and which can cause interruption of breathing for 10 seconds or more and this results in reduced blood o

Source-Medindia

Sleep - Overview and Definition
Sleep is a behavioral state of restricted physical activity. It is controlled by our internal biological clock.

Sleep Disorder : Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes - An urge to move, usually due to uncomfortable sensations that occur primarily in the legs.