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LUNG CIRCADIAN RHYTHM

Circadian rhythms, the body’s biological processes that repeat in 24-hour cycles, may have a significant effect on a person’s lung function according to the latest research.
As human beings, we’re in synch with our world- our body clocks linked to the clocks on the wall. There’s no question that our internal clock affects the way many systems function. For example we’re more likely to suffer a heart attack in the early morning hours. Well not only does heart function change throughout the day, according to circadian rhythms, but so does lung function.

A new study, done by researchers at North Shore University Hospital, shows that lung function has its own circadian rhythm that may point to the best times of day to engage in certain activities.
Dr. Boris Medarov, the study researcher, says, “For example we knew that people with asthma have their worst time in the morning. This is what prompted doing this study. It was a large study involving 4000 to 5000 people who had the pulmonary function testing done.”
The study investigated how lung function fluctuated throughout the working hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, varying according to human circadian rhythms. Results of breathing capacity were compared within nine time intervals during that standard workday. Breathing function was worst at around 12:00 pm but reached its best between 4:00 to 5:00 pm-in other words, late afternoon. We often associate the end of the work day with being tired and less motivated for physical exertion; however, lung function seems to be at its best during this time.
“The difference between noon and 5 PM was an approximately 15 to 20 % improvement in lung function. So for people like you and me who don’t really have any lung problems that really wouldn’t make any difference. For people with significant lung disease, this really may have an impact. For example it may be wiser to exercise predominately in those hours instead of around noon,” states Dr. Medarov.
Many lung disease patients do exercise to maintain function.
Circadian rhythms may also have implications for the administration of asthma medications. Instead of taking inhalers around the clock, patients may be able to use less late in the afternoon, and focus on midday dosing when their lung function is at its lowest.
The researchers say it also may be better to perform procedures late in the day, and even to take out breathing tubes at that time when their lung function is at its best and breathing on their own is easier. What’s interesting is that this is the time of day when there’s a shift change in hospitals, and so there’s less staff, and hospitals are less likely to perform procedures at the time when lung function is best.
The researchers state that relaxation techniques or biofeedback may modify lung function circadian rhythms, helping to manage a person’s low and high lung function throughout the day. However, they argue more research needs to be done in this area. The body will adjust itself though to whatever time zone it’s in and alter its circadian rhythms, so you really can’t get around that otherwise.

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