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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The Centers form Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented that a circadian pattern exists in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Pain, fatigue, mood, social activity, energy, sleep and weight worsened significantly in the Winter. In addition, about half of CFS sufferers also have major depression in the Winter. Because circadian rhythms affect CFS, researchers have found success treating with light therapy, and have commented that, �Light therapy may provide patients with CFS an effective treatment alternative or adjunct to antidepressant drugs.�

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What causes circadian rhythm disorder?

Unfortunately, modern living has dramatically altered nature�s cues. We have developed lifestyle patterns, shelter, conveniences, and modes of travel that dramatically influence the cues that drive other mammals. A modern day does not start at the crack of dawn or end at 8pm.

In a modern day, we get up when the alarm clock tells us too, work indoors, often in inner cities or interior offices where there is very little sunlight or the intensity is ineffective in resetting our circadian clocks. After-work time is spent indoors at social gatherings or in front of the television or computer often late into the night. We go to bed late, usually far after we are tired, and as a result, we are dependant on an alarm clock to get us up in the morning. Unfortunately, we wake up to man made cues and our circadian rhythm has not cued our body to secrete the proper hormones and neurotransmitters resulting in an imbalance.

Unfortunately, very few of us get the amount of daylight needed. In the modern world, we live, work, and play primarily indoors. In fact, one study conducted in San Diego, one of the sunniest and ideal climates in the world found that people there received less than one hour of sunlight each day. The light they received was primarily to and from work while sitting in a car.

When our bodies are out of balance nothing seems to feel right. This is because the hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters that determine how we feel, sleep and eat are out of sync. The result is a Circadian Rhythm Disorder.

Creating circadian balance

Circadian Balance is the state we enjoy when our bodies sleep well, eat right, have lots of energy and feel great; when in balance we are at our best.

Circadian Light Therapy Resets and Stabilizes the Circadian Clock

Light is the most effective way to synchronize the body with the twenty-four hour day. In the early 1980�s two groundbreaking studies were conducted; one study was conducted at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and another at the National Institute of Mental Health. Both of these studies concluded that specific wavelengths, intensities and color spectrum of light, (not available in ordinary room lighting) could reset the circadian clock and create circadian balance. Since that time, numerous studies have been conducted to understand how and why light therapy works.

Light, when created in a circadian correct intensity, wavelength and color spectrum, has been clinically proven to reset the circadian clock. In addition to resetting the clock, light has a direct and positive impact by increasing brain serotonin levels. At the same time circadian light therapy has a depressing affect on daytime melatonin. Excessive daytime melatonin has also been linked to depression and sleep disorders.

A key point of the SCN is its location in the human body. Because the SCN sits in the hypothalmus, it is connected to the optic nerve. When the eye is exposed to circadian light the SCN receives this signal and utilizes it as it regulates the circadian cycle. Unfortunately, most people no longer get enough daylight to receive the cues that nature intended and as a result there are millions of Americans suffering from some form of circadian rhythm disorder.

Social zeitgebers are important in organizing the human day. The alarm clock is an important social cue. It wakes us up and helps us to get on our schedule. Other social zeitgebers include daily activities such as eating meals together with a family, watching television, reading the mail or other regimented type of activities that are habitual in nature.

One interesting study showed that close interaction between people can affect their biological clock. In the study, women who lived together, tended to keep regular cycles that coincided with each other. Their menstrual cycles were often affected as well. Close women often have their periods at the same time. With many activities done together, they regularize many biological rhythms, including those of the hormones that affect the menstrual cycle.