Around 70 Million Individuals In The United States Experience The Daily Challenges Of Sleep Disorders.
What Occurs During Your Sleep?
Shortly after drifting into sleep, noticeable alterations begin to impact both the brain and body. Body temperature decreases, brain activity diminishes, and heart rate and respiration also decelerate. Unsurprisingly, the body’s energy consumption diminishes during sleep.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that sleep is a dynamic process. Throughout a single night, individuals traverse through numerous sleep cycles, each lasting between 70 and 120 minutes and encompassing distinct sleep stages. These stages are integral to the mechanics of sleep.
What Are The Various Stages Of Sleep?
There are four distinct stages of sleep categorized into two groups. The initial three stages belong to the NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep category, while the fourth stage is REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
- Stage one marks the transition from wakefulness to sleep, followed by stage two, characterized by a further decline in brain and body activity. These early stages of the sleep cycle make it relatively easy to awaken.
- Stage three represents the deepest phase of NREM sleep. Here, muscular and bodily relaxation deepens, accompanied by distinctive slow brain wave patterns, crucial for bodily recuperation, cognitive function, and memory consolidation.
- Stage four is solely dedicated to REM sleep, where brain activity surges and temporary paralysis affects most of the body except for the eyes and breathing muscles. It is pivotal for cognitive functions such as memory and learning. REM sleep hosts the most vivid dreaming experiences.
The arrangement of these sleep stages and their patterns constitute an individual’s sleep architecture. While deep sleep and REM sleep induce significant shifts in activity, all stages contribute to a balanced sleep architecture conducive to high-quality rest.
What Do You Mean By Sleep Apnea?
Apnea, or the cessation of breathing, is a condition where individuals may temporarily stop breathing while asleep. In cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), these interruptions in breathing can occur due to obstructed airways, resulting in little to no airflow into the lungs even during attempts to breathe. These pauses, known as apneas, can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to frequent awakenings during the night. Over time, untreated OSA can contribute to various health issues. Therefore, undergoing an At Home Sleep Test can help diagnose such conditions early, enabling timely intervention
to prevent the development of serious health complications.
WHAT ARE OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA'S WARNING SIGNS??
Numerous indicators can alert your healthcare provider to the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While you might not recognize the signs yourself, they could be more noticeable to your spouse, other family members, or a close friend. Also, not only in adults but OSA can also be observed in your child which may eventually affect your child’s brain development.
COMMON SYMPTOMS YOU COULD HAVE AS YOU SLEEP:
- Loud snoring, often disturbing nearby sleepers.
- Snoring may vary in intensity throughout the night.
- Occasional gasping or choking noises.
- Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Unexpected or abrupt body movements.
- Restless shifting and turning.
- Frequent interruptions in sleep.
COMMON SIGNS YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE WHILE AWAKE:
- Persistent feeling of sleep deprivation despite getting ample hours of rest.
- Experiencing morning headaches upon waking up.
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat due to breathing through the mouth during sleep.
- Daytime drowsiness interfering with daily activities.
- Consistent fatigue or tiredness throughout the day.
- Noticeable personality changes like mood swings and increased difficulty in social interactions.
- Struggling with poor memory retention and lack of concentration.
