THE ROLE OF SLEEP ARCHITECTURE AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS IN HEALTH: A REVIEW OF DISORDERS AND INTERVENTIONS ACROSS AGE GROUPS

A. Swetha Prthima*, A. Venkata Suseela, G. Venkata Rupesh, H. Bharath Kumar Raju, S. K. Sabiha Sulthana and J. N. Suresh Kumar

ABSTRACT

This review explores the critical influence of sleep architecture and circadian rhythms on health across all life stages, highlighting the functions of REM and NREM sleep in memory, metabolism, and emotional stability. It examines factors such as aging, lifestyle changes, hormonal fluctuations, and modern environmental stressors that disrupt sleep quality and contribute to disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, and mood disturbances. Each life stage presents unique sleep-related challenges: children and adolescents often face neurodevelopmental and behavioral impacts, adults encounter elevated risks of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and elderly individuals experience fragmented sleep linked to cognitive decline. Gender-specific issues such as those arising from menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause further illustrate the relationship between hormonal shifts and sleep quality. This review also underscores the impact of contemporary lifestyle factors, such as artificial lighting, digital device usage, and irregular schedules, on circadian rhythms, increasing the prevalence of chronic conditions including metabolic syndrome and depression. Effective management strategies—including cognitive behavioral therapy, light exposure control, and lifestyle adjustments—are essential to maintaining sleep health and promoting public well-being. Addressing sleep health as a public health priority can reduce the burden of sleep disorders and enhance quality of life

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