Effective ways to manage sleep problems caused by disrupted body clocks

Bright light treatment and melatonin administration are considered the primary treatments for circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

• Circadian rhythm sleep disorders include delayed sleep phase disorder, advanced sleep phase disorder, free-running, irregular sleep-wake rhythm, jet lag disorder, and shift work disorder.
• Accurate estimation of circadian phase is necessary to effectively time treatments with bright light and melatonin.
• Inappropriately timed treatments may exacerbate circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
• Core body temperature and endogenous melatonin rhythms can objectively measure circadian phase, but are rarely utilized in clinical settings.
• Estimating circadian phase through patient history may help clinicians provide more effective treatment recommendations.

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