Circadian Rhythms: Problems with the Body Clock

The intrinsic circadian clock organizes many aspects of life, including sleep and wakefulness. These cycles attempt to synchronize specific physiological functions with the time of day to improve efficiency.When the circadian clock runs contrary to the local environment or is absent altogether, morbidities in terms of social dysfunction or medical problems may emerge. To understand the range of circadian disorders, a brief review of chronobiology follows.