Sleep Stages

Sleep stages are the four non REM phases.

A whole cycle starts at stage 1 and progresses through 2, 3 then 4 with each stage lasting from 4 to 17 minutes. At the end of  # 4, REM  is achieved. After a period of time in REM , the cycle reverts back to non REM and the progression starts over. The non REM sleep stages are what are known as the deep kind.

It is during the non REM sleep stages that the body does its repairs.

It is when the immune system gains strength, muscle and bone mass grow, and tissue regenerates. It is believed that adults require 7 hours of slumber to maintain proper health. The truth is as we age, the body appears to require less and less, probably as a result of being much less active. Because the time is shortened, th elderly receive less deep slumber and are lighter sleepers.

Sleep stages 1

In this stage, one is almost asleep. The slang term is known as dozing off. The slightest noise or disruption can wake you right up at point. There is no rest achieved during this phase. One can remain in this initial phase for up to ten minutes. During this time you may have partial reality dreams like hearing someone talking. You may feel like you are falling. Often muscles will twitch, what the medical community have termed hypic myoclonia. Insomnia particularly stumbles at this initial phase as the brain is still fairly active.

Sleep stages 2

In this stage one is definitely asleep although it is only yet light. When measured, the polysomnographic readouts display sinusoidal wave patterns which are just hills and valleys respective to a reference line. This coincides with muscles flexing and relaxing alternatively. It is a time when things are really starting to slow down. Your body temperature lowers and you heart rate drops in preparation for deep slumber.

Sleep stages 3

In this stage, the body enters the slow brain wave state of deep slumber. Brain waves measured are in the upper delta range. This stage is when the immune system allows itself be fortified. A person can still be awakened without consequences while still in # 3. Some awareness is present.

Sleep stages 4

This is the deepest state one can achieve and the main stage that will determine how you feel the next day. It is in this  phase that the muscles are motionless. This is when most muscle recovery takes place as well as tissue regeneration. The slowest delta waves are what the brain is now operating at. It is not desirable to be awakened from this as one will be very disoriented for a few minutes including comprehension of where one is and what is happening. Disruption of this phase may throw off a cycle for more than 24 hours.

It isn’t hard to see that the importance of sleep and ones health is directly related to how long a person is able to stay in and utilize the 4 sleep stages.

Insearched:

• sleep stages
• importance of sleep - edu - gov