Sleep Stages – What are they?
Posted by Dr. Samvat on Saturday, August 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Stages of Sleep
Sleep is divided into 4 stages of Non REM sleep and REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement).
Dreaming occurs in both stages buy mostly during REM sleep. Each cycle of NREM and REM is repeated every 90 minutes, 4 to 5 times a night. 5-6 cycles is an ideal amount of sleep required for everyone after 15 years old.
During the onset of sleep metabolism switches from catabolic ( energy producing) process to an anabolic ( biosynthesis) process. Compounded sleep deprivation or sleep debt pushes metabolism into catabolism (excess free radicals formation, increase glycation reactions and cross-linked proteins, imbalances in apoptosis, accumulation of waste products, failure of the repair systems and deficits of the immune system.) while restful sleep allows the repair, detoxification, maintenance and building processes to occur. It also increases the efficiency of antioxidant mechanisms in the brain.
What are the Stages of Sleep?
Sleep is divided into 4 stages of Non REM sleep and REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement). These are sometimes referred to as “sleep phases” or “sleep cycles“….
Dreaming occurs in both stages buy mostly during REM sleep. Each cycle of NREM and REM is repeated every 90 minutes, 4 to 5 times a night. 5-6 cycles is an ideal amount of sleep required for everyone after 15 years old.
During the onset of sleep, metabolism switches from catabolic (energy producing) process to an anabolic (biosynthesis) process. Compounded sleep deprivation or sleep debt pushes metabolism into catabolism (excess free radicals formation, increase glycation reactions and cross-linked proteins, imbalances in apoptosis, accumulation of waste products, failure of the repair systems and deficits of the immune system.) while restful sleep allows the repair, detoxification, maintenance and building processes to occur. It also increases the efficiency of antioxidant mechanisms in the brain.
Melatonin is the night hormone which down regulates catabolic enzymes and catabolic hormone secretion and activates enzyme systems involved in anabolism through its action on the hypothalamus. Melatonin helps adapt the timing of physiological processes and it promotes the promotion of restorative or anabolic physiological processes. Elevated melatonin levels have been associated with increase sleepiness, reduced core temperature, increase in heat loss, decreased cardiovascular output, and reduced alertness and enhanced immune responsiveness.
Do I have a sleep problem? Ask yourself the following:
- Does your sleep and wake up time varies often?
- Do you have a irregular eating time habit?
- Do you exercise at night?
- Do you sleep for less then 5 hours?
- Do you sleep for more then 9 hours nightly?
- Do you have a regular monthly cycles (Females only) ?
- Do you travel weekly crossing more then one time zone?
- Are you a shift worker?
- Are a smoker?
- Do you have neck pain, low back pain or joint pain?
- Do you experience anxiety and /or depression?
- Do have difficulty relaxing your legs and/or do you have achy legs?
If you have answered yes to any part of the questions, you have sleep problem.
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About Dr. Samvat
Dr. Samvat is a highly sought after researcher on Sleep Health and Holistic Chiropractic Care. He presently operates Sleep Help Centres across Australia.
