As people become more and more interested in the science and process of sleep, more and more research is being done to fully understand its impact on the body and mind. Basically, it wouldn’t be too surprising if you’ve at least heard of the term “sleep cycles”!
If you have sleep apnea, learning more about the importance of these cycles can be especially helpful. Keep reading, and you’ll see how sleep cycle disturbances can affect your ability to feel well-rested.
The Pre-Sleep Stages
A full sleep cycle has four different stages, including two that resemble more of a “pre-sleep” state. During stage one, you’ll just be starting to drift off. Your thoughts and awareness may become less cohesive, but sounds, lights, and changes in your environment will still catch your attention. Right around stage two, your brain will release a series of “sleep spindles” that will help prevent early waking.
If distractions keep pulling you out of stage two, try to find a more peaceful location to promote smooth sleep spindle production.
Rest, Repair, and Re-Energize
Once you enter stage three in your cycle, you’ll be well and truly asleep! Your body will divert resources away from waking functions and invest more in muscle repair, healing processes, immune system support, and re-energizing cells. In a way, you really are “recharging your batteries.”
This is why doctors often recommend getting plenty of sleep when you’re sick or recovering from surgery. Disrupting this stage can weaken your immune system and impair your ability to heal.
REM and Memory Storage
REM is short for “rapid eye movement,” and is the main feature of the fourth and final stage of your sleep cycle. Your eyes will start to flutter, and though you may not always remember it, you’ll also start dreaming. Your brain, meanwhile, will get to work sorting all of the information you’ve picked up over the course of your day and forming it into memories.
Failing to reach or complete this stage can seriously affect your memory, and in the morning you’ll likely have a bad case of “memory fog.”
How Sleep Apnea Interrupts Your Rest
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, airway blockages from over-relaxed muscles or a misaligned bite can prevent you from breathing properly while lying down. In response, your brain periodically jolts you awake. So instead of smoothly transitioning from sleep stage to sleep stage, your biological rest gets interrupted. It’s sort of like pulling your phone out of the charger when it’s still at 15%!
To get all the benefits of a full night’s rest, consider getting a CPAP machine or oral sleep appliance. Once your sleep apnea symptoms are managed, it’ll be much easier for you to wake up feeling ready for the day ahead.
About the Practice
At Flenniken Family Dentistry, your sleep apnea treatment expert is Dr. Suzan Rismani-Flenniken. As a highly knowledgeable and skilled dentist, she knows how difficult it can be to function when your sleep cycles are constantly interrupted. Call our office at 717-249-7777 to schedule an appointment, and Dr. Rismani will gladly help you get a good night’s rest!
