The Relevance of Sleep, Circadian Rhythm and Lifestyle as Related to a Holistic Theory of Health

Abstract

This paper highlights the relation between health, lifestyle, sleep and circadian rhythm in disease, using a holistic theory of health, for subjects with, for example, coronary heart disease, nursed in intensive care or post-operative ward following coronary arterial by-pass surgery. The paper will also illuminate the World Health Organization's health targets nine and 13-17, adopted by the Member States of the European Region, about the relevance of lifestyle and its influence on the subject's health values for patients with coronary heart disease. Sleep is affected by a person's own will, repertoire and circumstance, both internal and external. It plays a meaningful part in maintaining good health. Disturbance of sleep leads to change in circadian rhythm and is an early symptom of psychophysiological and social ill health, independent of disease. It influences a person's values, actions and ability to adjust. Disturbance of sleep over longer periods leads to disease. Patients who have undergone, for example, coronary arterial by-pass surgery are expected to change their lifestyle. It is therefore important that the nurse can define the subject's sleep patterns and circadian rhythm.

Quality of life following liver transplantation: physical and functional recovery

“…If 11 scales show signs of improvement there needs to be further research to investigate why occupational rehabilitation should not also show improvement. Other studies further support the ®nding that a large number of liver transplant recipients are unable to return to work (Tarter et al 1988, Eid et al 1989, Wolcott et al 1989, Heyink et al 1990). Tarter et al (1988) suggest that this problem is worse for patients who undergo multiple transplants.…”

“…Torrance (1990) and Edell‐Gustafsson & Ek (1992) adopt a physiological approach to sleep deprivation and suggest that poor sleep is directly implicated in poor wound healing. Canavan (1986) supports this physiological argument but goes on to stress the dangerous psychological effects which sleep deprivation can cause.…”

Effects of sleep loss in men and women with insufficient sleep suffering from chronic disease: A model for supportive nursing care

“…Sleep quality has a restorative function and promotes health and a feeling of well‐being, in the presence of a balance between rest and sleep on the one hand and activity on the other. An holistic theoretical framework generated from different studies, 2–12 with reference to the individual's sleep quality, biological rhythms, health and quality of life, is illustrated in Figure 1. The model postulates that irrespective of aetiology, reduced sleep quality constitutes a form of stress per se , causes lighter sleep and arousals, with interference of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis (limbic system), the autonomic nervous system and altered cognitive system.…”

Fragmented sleep and tiredness in males and females one year after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)*

“…1999) and important for secondary prevention nursing care. Based on a holistic approach, a theoretical framework derived from research as a statement of this problem has been presented previously (Edéll‐Gustafsson & Ek 1992, Edéll‐Gustafsson & Hetta 1999a, b, Edéll‐Gustafsson et al. 1999).…”