Did you know that every time you drift off to sleep, your body embarks on a fascinating journey? It goes through four distinct stages of sleep, each of which is important in its own way. What exactly happens during those four stages, and how might sleep apnea affect your nightly sleep cycle? This blog post provides some relevant information.
Stages 1 and 2: Light Sleep
As soon as you fall asleep, you enter the first stage of the sleep cycle. Your eye movements, breathing, and heartrate all slow down. However, you may retain some level of alertness. If you hear any noises or get exposed to sudden bright light, you are likely to be aroused by such stimuli. You might not even realize that you had even been asleep for a brief moment.
After about 5 – 10 minutes in stage 1, you enter stage 2. You become much less aware of your surroundings, and your body temperature dips slightly. Your eye movements also stop. Your brain’s activity changes; it starts to emit a special type of wave known as sleep spindles. Most people spend about half their total sleep time in stage 2.
Stages 3 and 4: Deeper Sleep
When you move into stage 3, you are officially in “deep sleep.” It may become difficult to wake you up. Your body is busy repairing tissues that got damaged during the day, and your brain works on consolidating new memories. Your cytokine levels also rise. (Cytokines are a type of protein that is important for your immune system.)
During the last stage of sleep, your eyes start to make quick movements, so you might hear this stage referred to as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Your heartrate becomes elevated, your blood pressure rises, and your breathing becomes shallower. The majority of dreams occur during stage 4.
Sleep Apnea and the Sleep Cycle
An average healthy person travels through all four stages of sleep in 1 – 2 hours, and the cycle should get repeated a few times each night. Unfortunately, your experience may be quite different if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
OSA causes pauses in breathing throughout the night. These pauses can send your body into panic mode, so you may experience multiple micro-arousals throughout the night, which can prevent you from spending enough time in the deeper stages of sleep. As a result, you may deal with constant exhaustion, as well as challenges with your memory and emotional wellness.
The good news is that OSA is highly treatable. A qualified sleep dentist can provide a custom oral appliance that keeps your airway open during sleep and allows you to journey through the four stages of sleep without interruption.
Every stage of the sleep cycle is important! If you are not getting the most out of your nightly shuteye, it may be time to seek professional care.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Pamela West and Stephanie Gorczyca are proud to provide sleep apnea treatment for the Las Vegas community. Dr. West has decades of experience and is proud to be a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and other prestigious organizations. If you have been struggling to feel well-rested, our team is ready to advise you on your next steps. Contact iSleepSolutions & TMJ Pain Therapy at 702-602-2000.