Sleep Disorder Explained

Sleep is defined as a behavioral state of perceptual disengagement from the environment. The sleep state is deliberately produced, and is not the result of passive inactivity. Sleep is highly regulated by homeostatic and circadian processes. It can be broken into five stages. The first four stages are “slow wave”, or non-rem, the last exhibits ‘rapid eye movement’.

Stage 1: Sleep is light, an individual can be easily awakened. Mostly theta waves, also some alpha waves, this stage only lasts a few minutes.

Stage 2: Eye movement stops, brainwaves are from 8 to 15 hertz. Sleep spindles occur in which 12-16 Hz waves occur lasting from half to two seconds. Interspersed between spindles are k-complexes; brief spikes in brain wave amplitude, or peaks.

Stages 3 and 4: Both are considered similar deep sleep stages. Delta waves are up to 50% of total brain activity, and more in stage 4. The rest are theta waves. Eye and muscle activity are reduced, and it becomes very difficult to arouse or awaken someone. Sleep stages reverse, then gradually build to REM sleep.

Stage 5: This stage is also known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) or paradoxical sleep. High frequency Beta waves are present, as they are in waking states. Eyes move rapidly in frequent bursts and muscles may twitch. Major Muscles and limbs become paralyzed to prevent acting out dreams which exist in this stage.

A complete sleep cycle lasts approximately 110 minutes in adults, 70 to 90 minutes in healthy seniors, and 120 minutes or more in children. As we sleep through the night, REM sleep (dreaming) increases, and deep sleep decreases. This pattern continues until we awaken the next morning.

The word “insomnia” comes from the latin forms “in” (not) and “somnus” (sleep), literally meaning “no sleep” or “inability to sleep”. Insomnia is believed to affect more than 60 million americans.

Adverse effects of insomnia include diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and obesity. Also, people who experience severe fatigue are more likely to suffer from depression, sleepiness, decreased alertness, decreased performance at work or school, and problems with relationships.

While Insomnia was once thought to be associated with another condition, we now know that it is a disorder in itself.

Contributing factors may include anxiety, health problems, psychological problems, pain, and discomfort from surgeries or procedures. Only a small number of people seek treatment for insomnia. There have been many significant advancements in the treatment of insomnia including over the counter medications, hypnotic medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation therapy.

As our understanding of sleep and underlying mechanisms for regulating the sleep-wale cycles improves, newer treatments can be targeted to provide many more options in the treatment of insomnia.