Deprivation Of Sleep Essay

Sleep is a behavioral state, that is a fundamental part of human life (“Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Biological Rhythms”). Despite the fact that we spend approximately one-third of our lives asleep, most individuals know little to nothing about this essential bodily function. Although the exact purpose of sleep, has yet to be discovered, sleep is essential for humans and other life forms to remain functional. Deprivation of sleep can cause serious physiological as well as psychological damage (Institute of Medicine, 2006). We all recognize and feel the need to sleep. After sleeping, we recognize changes that have occurred, as we feel rested and more alert. Sleep is a required activity, not an option (“Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Biological Rhythms”). Sleep is recognized for having an important role in public health. Sleep insufficiency has been linked to automobile accidents, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors. People experiencing sleep insufficiency are also more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity, as well as from cancer, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life and productivity (Insufficient Sleep Is a Public Health Epidemic, 2014). Just like any other characteristics you are born with, the amount of sleep you need to function best may be different for you than for someone who is of the same age and gender. Although the exact amount of sleep needed varies depending on health and age, most experts agree that children five to ten years old, should be sleeping ten to eleven hours, while teens eleven to seventeen, need eight and a half to nine hours, and adults require seven to nine hours of sleep per night (“How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?”). As you sleep, you progress through a series of stages, all of which are marked by brain activity and wave patterns. There are two main types of sleep: Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep, and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep, or paradoxical sleep (Cherry, n.d.). During the earliest phases of sleep, you are still relatively awake and alert. As the brain begins to relax and slow down, slower waves known as alpha waves are produced. Stage 1 can be considered a transition period between wakefulness and sleep. In Stage 1, the brain produces high amplitude theta waves, which are very slow brain waves. Stage 2 is the second stage of sleep in which the brain begins to produce bursts of rapid, rhythmic brain wave activity known as sleep spindles. Deep, slow brain waves known as delta waves begin to emerge during stage 3 sleep. During this stage, people become less responsive and noises and activity in the environment may fail to generate a response. Most dreaming occurs during the fourth stage of sleep, or REM sleep. REM sleep is also referred to as paradoxical sleep because while the brain and other body systems become more active, muscles become more relaxed (Institute of Medicine, 2006). Sleep cycles through these stages approximately four or five times throughout the night (Cherry, n.d.). A variety of physiological changes take place during the different stages of sleep (Purves,2001). …show more content…
Periods of non-REM sleep are characterized by decreases in muscle tone, heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and metabolic rate. All these parameters reach their lowest values during slow-wave sleep. In non-REM sleep, body movements are reduced compared to wakefulness, although it is common to change sleeping position. Periods of REM sleep, in contrast, are characterized by increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism to levels almost as high as those found in the awake state. Sympathetic nerve activity also tend to increase significantly during this period of sleep (Institute of Medicine, 2006). In addition, REM sleep, as the name implies, is characterized by rapid, rolling eye movements, paralysis of large muscles, and the twitching of fingers and toes (Purves, 2001). Dreams can include images, thoughts and emotions. Dreams can be extraordinarily vivid or very vague; filled with joyful emotions or frightening imagery; focused and understandable or unclear and confusing (Cherry, n.d.). Most dreaming occurs during the fourth stage of sleep, known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. According to Sander van der Linden, a doctoral researcher in social experimental psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science, “Dreams seem to help