What Is A Sleep Disorder?

When the human body sleeps it replenishes energy levels and rests muscles, organs and other tissue. Sleep is a resting state the body needs for its physical and mental well being, helping you cope with illnesses, stress, and problem solving. When the body sleeps it cycles between two separate states; non-REM and REM sleep. When someone first finds sleep the body begins in non-REM sleep then slips into the heavier REM sleep during which dreams may occur.

Non-REM sleep is made up of four separate stages with each lasting from five to 15 minutes during which a sleep cycle progresses through stages one through for before REM sleep can be attained. After which, the sleep cycle begins again. Those stages are:

Stage One: During the first stage there is a reduction in activity between the alert state of being awake and the first stage of sleep. Eyes are closed and the patient may be awakened without much difficulty, though if they are they will feel little or no effects from true sleep. This stage lasts no more than 15 minutes and may feel intermittent muscle contraction, known as hypnic myoclonia.

Stage Two: This period is one of light sleep during which there are peaks and valleys of waves during which muscle tone and muscle relaxation occur while the overall heart rate slows and body temperature decreases. It is at this pointy that the body begins to slip into a more restive, deep sleep.

Stages Three & Four: Known as the “deep sleep stages”, these are the delta waves of sleep during which if the patient is awakened then they may be disoriented.

It is during this time that REM deep sleep the body begins to repair itself, undergoes tissue regeneration and builds muscle and bone while strengthening the immune system.