Circadian Rhythms
Biological rhythms that occur approximately every 24 hours (Sleep-wake cycle and temperature)
Ultradian Rhythms
Biological rhythms that occur more than once each day (Stages of sleep throughout the night)
Infradian Rhythms
Biological rhythms that occur once a month or once a season (Women's menstrual cycle)
Sleep Deprivation Effects
Decreases efficiency of immune system functioning
Safety and accident issues
Contributes to hypertension, impaired concentration, irritability, etc.
Hypothalamus
Sleep control center in the brain
Melatonin
Linked to the sleep-wake cycle
Stage 1 Sleep
Breathing is slowed.
Brain waves become irregular.
It is easy to wake the person, who will insist they are not asleep.
Rarely lasts longer than 5 minutes
Stage 2 Sleep
Brain wave cycle slows.
First time through stage 2 last about 20 minutes.
Stages 3 and 4 Sleep
Slow wave sleep
First time through stage 4 is about 30 minutes and is where one gets rejuvenated
Non-REM Sleep
Stages 1 - 4 considered N-REM (non-REM sleep)
REM Sleep
Rapid eye movement (REM Sleep) as eyes move quickly back and forth
Vivid dreaming occurs in REM sleep
Considered "paradoxical sleep"
Term coined by William Dement
Paradoxical Sleep
During REM sleep brain wave patterns are similar to when a person is awake
Pulse and breathing quickens.
REM sleep is sometimes called paradoxical sleep as one's physiology is close to that of being awake but the brainstem blocks all muscle movement
Insomnia
Recurring problems falling asleep or staying asleep
Sleep Apnea
Sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and consequent momentary reawakenings.
Narcolepsy
Sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks
Somnambulism
Formal name for sleepwalking
Starts in the deep stages of N-REM sleep
Person can walk or talk and is able to see
Rarely has any memory of the event
Night Terrors
Sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and appearance of being terrified
Bruxism
teeth grinding
Enuresis
bed wetting
Myoclonus
sudden jerk of a body part occurring during stage 1 sleep