While sleep might seem like a static state of being, the truth is that every time you doze off, you embark on a fascinating journey. Your brain and body go through four unique stages of sleep, all of which are important. What happens during each stage, and how can sleep apnea disrupt this vital cycle? This blog post shares some interesting information.
Stages 1 and 2: Light Sleep
At the beginning of the sleep cycle, your heart rate, breathing, and eye movements slow down. It is possible to remain somewhat aware of your surroundings during this stage. A loud noise or bright light could easily wake you up, sometimes without you even realizing that you had been asleep.
Most people spend 5 – 10 minutes in stage 1 before transitioning into stage 2. At this point, you become much less aware of your environment, and your body temperature takes a slight dip. Your eye movements stop, and your brain starts to produce a special wave known as sleep spindles. It is normal for people to spend about half of their total sleep time in stage 2.
Stages 3 and 4: Deeper Sleep
The latter two stages of the sleep cycle are considered “deep sleep.” During stage 3, it becomes much more difficult to wake you up. Your body is working to repair tissues that were damaged throughout the day, and your brain is consolidating and storing new memories. You also experience a spike in cytokine levels. (Cytokines are a type of protein that play a role in your immune system.)
Stage 4 is also known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Your heartrate and blood pressure become elevated, and your breathing is shallower. Your brain continues to work on consolidating memories. You are more likely to experience dreams during this stage.
Sleep Apnea and the Sleep Cycle
It usually takes 1 – 2 hours to go through all the stages of sleep; the cycle should repeat itself multiple times each night. Sadly, this process does not always hold true for individuals with sleep apnea. If you have this disorder, you might stop breathing dozens, possibly even hundreds, of times during a typical night.
Each time you stop breathing, your body may not completely wake you up, but it does arouse you enough to get you breathing again. This can prevent you from spending an adequate amount of time in the deeper stages of sleep. Because of these continual disruptions to the sleep cycle, you might find that you always feel tired. Your memory, emotional wellness, and physical health are also likely to suffer.
Fortunately, sleep apnea is highly treatable. You might be a candidate for a mandibular advancement device (MAD), which is also known simply as an oral sleep appliance. It can gently reposition your lower jaw in order to keep your airway open and promote uninterrupted breathing.
The sleep cycle is vital for your health! Do all you can to protect your nightly rest so you can get the most out of all four stages of sleep.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Susan Partovi is an experienced dentist who proudly offers oral appliance therapy for patients with sleep apnea. If you are concerned about the quality of your sleep, or you are frustrated with your CPAP machine, she and our team would be pleased to consult with you. Contact Signature Smiles of Rockville at 301-990-0020.