Sleep disorders
Sleep
is a natural, periodically recurring physiological state of rest, characterized by relatively little
physical and nervous activity, various levels of consciousness and lessened responsiveness to
external stimuli.
It is a universal phenomenon present in all living things and revolving around biological rhythms
called CIRCADIAN RHYTHM.
It is a biological behavioral process that recurs in approximately 24 hour cycle.
The cyclic nature of sleep is controlled by the center located in the lower part of the brain-
mesencephalic portion of the reticular formation.
STAGES OF SLEEP
1. Non-rapid eye movement (NREM)
4 stages
Stage I-
5% of the person’s sleep
Transitional stage between wakefulness and sleep
The person is in the relax state but still somewhat aware of his surroundings.
This stage normally lasts for few minutes.
The person can be aroused easily.
Involuntary muscle jerking may occur and may waken the person
Stage II
50% of the person’s sleep
The person falls into a stage of sleep
The person can be aroused with relative ease
Stage III
deep sleep state
The depth of sleep increases and arousal becomes increasingly difficult
Stage IV
the person reaches the greatest depth of sleep, which is called the DELTA SLEEP
Arousal from sleep is difficult
Physiologic changes in the body include:
Slow brain waves are recorded on an electro encephalogram (EEG)
Pulse and respiratory rates decrease
Muscles are very relaxed
Metabolism slows and the body temperature is low
2. Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
Sometimes called PARADOXICAL SLEEP
Because it seems that the person is close to wakefulness
20%-25% of person’s nightly sleep
It is more difficult to wake a person at this stage’
If they are awakened, they always report that they have been dreaming.
Many researchers state that everyone dreams and those who say they don’t simply are unable
to recall their dreams
Characteristics of REM sleep
Eyes dart back and forth
Muscles- small muscle twitching, such as on the face
Large muscles immobility resembling paralysis
Respiration- irregular sometimes there is apnea
Pulse-rapid and irregular
BP- increases or fluctuates
Gastric secretions increase
Metabolism and body temperature increase
Brain waves- EEG tracing active
Sleep
is a natural, periodically recurring physiological state of rest, characterized by relatively little
physical and nervous activity, various levels of consciousness and lessened responsiveness to
external stimuli.
It is a universal phenomenon present in all living things and revolving around biological rhythms
called CIRCADIAN RHYTHM.
It is a biological behavioral process that recurs in approximately 24 hour cycle.
The cyclic nature of sleep is controlled by the center located in the lower part of the brain-
mesencephalic portion of the reticular formation.
STAGES OF SLEEP
1. Non-rapid eye movement (NREM)
4 stages
Stage I-
5% of the person’s sleep
Transitional stage between wakefulness and sleep
The person is in the relax state but still somewhat aware of his surroundings.
This stage normally lasts for few minutes.
The person can be aroused easily.
Involuntary muscle jerking may occur and may waken the person
Stage II
50% of the person’s sleep
The person falls into a stage of sleep
The person can be aroused with relative ease
Stage III
deep sleep state
The depth of sleep increases and arousal becomes increasingly difficult
Stage IV
the person reaches the greatest depth of sleep, which is called the DELTA SLEEP
Arousal from sleep is difficult
Physiologic changes in the body include:
Slow brain waves are recorded on an electro encephalogram (EEG)
Pulse and respiratory rates decrease
Muscles are very relaxed
Metabolism slows and the body temperature is low
2. Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
Sometimes called PARADOXICAL SLEEP
Because it seems that the person is close to wakefulness
20%-25% of person’s nightly sleep
It is more difficult to wake a person at this stage’
If they are awakened, they always report that they have been dreaming.
Many researchers state that everyone dreams and those who say they don’t simply are unable
to recall their dreams
Characteristics of REM sleep
Eyes dart back and forth
Muscles- small muscle twitching, such as on the face
Large muscles immobility resembling paralysis
Respiration- irregular sometimes there is apnea
Pulse-rapid and irregular
BP- increases or fluctuates
Gastric secretions increase
Metabolism and body temperature increase
Brain waves- EEG tracing active
