Irregular sleep-wake rhythm

Irregular sleep–wake rhythm is a rare form of circadian rhythm sleep disorder. It is characterized by numerous naps throughout the 24-hour period, no main nighttime sleep episode and irregularity from day to day. Sufferers have no pattern of when they are awake or asleep, may have poor quality sleep, and often may be very sleepy while they are awake. The total time asleep per 24 hours is normal for the person's age. The disorder is serious—an invisible disability. It can create social, familial, and work problems, making it hard for a person to maintain relationships and responsibilities, and may make a person home-bound and isolated.

Nomenclature
The current formally correct name of the disorder is Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder: Irregular Sleep Wake Rhythm Type. This disorder has been referred to by many other terms, including: Irregular Sleep Wake Pattern, irregular sleep wake syndrome, Irregular Sleep Wake Rhythm, Irregular Sleep Wake Cycle, Irregular Sleep Wake Schedule and Irregular Sleep Wake Disorder (ISWD). Sometimes the words sleep and wake are hyphenated (sleep-wake). Sometimes the words are capitalized and sometimes they are not.

Causes
ISWD has various causes, including neurological disorders such as dementia (particularly Alzheimer's Disease), brain damage, or mental retardation. It is thought that sufferers have a weak circadian clock. The risk for the disorder increases with age, but only due to increased prevalence of co-morbid medical disorders.

There is a possible reciprocal relationship between bipolar disorder and sleep disorders: "Irregular Sleep-Wake Schedule ... is yet another problem that many with Bipolar II experience and [it] in large part results from a lack of lifestyle scheduling."

Diagnosis
A sleep diary should be kept to aid in diagnosis and for chronicling the sleep schedule during treatment. Other ways to monitor the sleep schedule are actigraphy or use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine that can log sleeping times

The following are possible warning signs:
 * sleeping off and on in a series of naps during the day and at night, with no regular pattern but with normal total sleep time,
 * difficulty getting restorative sleep, and
 * excessive daytime sleepiness.

Because of the changes in sleep/wake time, and because this is a rare disorder, initially it can seem like another circadian rhythm sleep disorder such as Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder or like insomnia.

Initial visit with sleep physician
A physician specializing in sleep medicine may ask patients about their medical history; for example: neurological problems, prescription or non-prescription medications taken, alcohol use, family history, and any other sleep problems. A thorough medical and neurological exam is indicated. The patient will be asked to complete a sleep diary, recording natural sleep and wake up times, over several weeks. Sleep rating with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale may be used.

Medical testing
A neurological condition or another medical problem may be suspected, in which case, blood tests, a CT scan or an MRI may be used. An overnight sleep study is usually not needed to detect this disorder, but may be indicated if other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and periodic limb movement disorder, seem likely. The overnight sleep study is called polysomnography. It charts brain waves, heart beat, muscle activity, and breathing during sleep. It also records arm and leg movement. It will show if there are other sleep disorders that are causing or increasing the problems with ISWD.

Management
Treatment for irregular sleep-wake rhythm tries to enable the body clock in the brain, such that a normal long sleep period at night can be achieved. Education about sleep hygiene is important, and counseling can be helpful. Melatonin, vitamin B12, sleep aids, wake aids, and other medications may also be used. Light during the daytime, and activities occurring at regular times each day, may help to restore a normal rhythm.

Because there are different systems in the body that help establish regulation, it's helpful to employ a multi-modal approach. A 2008 review states that "...each clock is differentially sensitive to zeitgebers. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is very responsive to light, the clock in the liver is very sensitive to food, and clocks in muscle are sensitive to exercise."

The following approaches are recommended by one source:
 * 1) Spend <7–8 hours in bed.
 * 2) Add environmental cues such as light and social interactions, regular meal times, and regular sleep-wake times.
 * 3) Morning and eve light at 3000 lux for 2 hours have been shown to improve nocturnal sleep in institutionalized patients and reduce agitation in demented patients.
 * 4) Melatonin at desired sleep time.

Research
There is currently a great deal of active research on various aspects of circadian rhythm; this often occurs at major universities in conjunction with sleep research clinics at major hospitals. An example is the program with Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. This research includes programs that are staffed by researchers from various departments at the university, including psychiatry, neurology, chemistry, biology. Other major sleep research centers are in Tel Aviv in Israel, Munich in Germany and in cities in Japan.

A wide variety of sleep disorders are actively being researched. Measuring body temperature or melatonin levels may be used. Some hospitals do blood tests for Melatonin levels. Melatonin saliva tests are now available for online purchase. It can also be tested in urine.

Blogs and mailings lists

 * An active email mailing list for peer support and information related to Circadian Rhythm Disorders
 * An active mailing list for peer support and information related to Sleep Disorders
 * American Academy of Sleep Medicine: Blog/Breaking News

Find medical professionals

 * Find a sleep disorder clinic

Associations

 * American Sleep Disorders Association

Journals and research sites

 * Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
 * Journal Sleep
 * search on term: Irregular sleep-wake pattern/ MedLink, Abstract of study with lots of information