Historically, sedative/hypnotics have been some of the most commonly prescribed drugs. An understanding of the disorders of sleep and the effects of medications is required for the appropriate use of medications affecting sleep.ĭiagnoses Resulting in Chronic Insomnia a For example, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder may be treated with dopamine agonists. Conversely, medications may be used therapeutically for specific sleep disorders. Many medications affect sleep stages and can thus cause sleep disorders or exacerbate the effect of chronic illnesses on sleep. Chronic medical illnesses can become symptomatic during specific sleep stages. Parasomnias include disorders of arousal and of REM sleep. Medications, including amphetamines, may be used to induce daytime alertness. Excessive daytime sleepiness is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea or depression. An understanding of the electrophysiologic and neurochemical correlates of the stages of sleep is useful in defining and understanding sleep disorders. Nonpharmacologic behavioral methods may also have therapeutic benefit. Other agents for insomnia include sedating antidepressants and over-the-counter sleep products (sedating antihistamines). Two newer benzodiazepine-like agents, zolpidem and zaleplon, have fewer side effects, yet good efficacy. Benzodiazepines are frequently used to treat insomnia however, there may be a withdrawal syndrome with rapid eye movement (REM) rebound. Chronic insomnia affects 15% of the population. Transient insomnia is extremely common, afflicting up to 80% of the population. NURSE-ON-CALL Tel.Sleep disorders can be divided into those producing insomnia, those causing daytime sleepiness, and those disrupting sleep.Australasian Sleep Association External Link.periodic limb movement disorder and restless legs syndrome.circadian rhythm disorders where the desire and ability to sleep are out of phase with the 24-hour social environment, such as jet lag and shiftwork sleep disorder.parasomnias such as nightmares, sleep walking and night terrors.sleep restriction/insufficient sleep/sleep-related habits that reduce sleep time.There are many common conditions that can affect a person’s sleep. Growth and repair processes occur during this stage. stages 3 and 4 – deep sleep, also known as ‘delta sleep’ – your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing become very slow and your muscles relax.stage 2 –you lose awareness of your surroundings, your body temperature starts to drop and your breathing and heart rate slow down.stage 1 – dozing or drowsiness – you hover between being asleep and awake.The four broad stages of NREM sleep include: The amount and type of NREM sleep vary with age and the degree of sleep deprivation. Non-rapid eye movement sleep is what you experience for the remaining three-quarters of your sleep time. REM sleep makes up a larger proportion of the total sleep period in babies (especially premature babies), which suggests that dreams help to mature a developing brain. Sleep researchers have established that at least some eye movements correspond with dream content, which suggests that we watch our dreams like we watch movies on a screen. Most dreams are thought to occur during REM sleep. The sleeper’s eyes tend to dart about under closed lids, hence the name. The brain in REM sleep shows significant electrical activity. It makes up about one-quarter of your night’s sleep. Rapid eye movement sleep occurs regularly during sleep, about once every 90 to 120 minutes. The two broad categories of sleep include: The brain moves through distinct stages of sleep, over and over, every night. Sleep isn’t a static (unchanging) state of consciousness. New parents lose, on average, between 450 and 700 hours of sleep during their child’s first 12 months of life. Studies show that common distractions from sleep are: It is thought that sleepiness causes about one road accident in six. Most of us feel that we haven’t had enough sleep at least some of the time. The Sleep Health Foundation recommends that adults should aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night. Today, sleep deprivation is common in developed nations, with the average adult sleeping for only six or seven hours each night. In the morning, exposure to daylight suppresses these hormones and releases brain chemicals to keep you awake. When the sun sets, your brain releases hormones to make you sleepy. The body’s internal clock regulates when and how we sleep depending on the amount of light around us. Lack of sleep, or sleep deprivation, can cause fatigue, poor concentration and memory, mood disturbances, impaired judgement and reaction time, and poor physical coordination. It refreshes the mind and repairs the body. Most scientists agree that sleep is important for restoring physical and mental health. Sleep is as essential for good health as oxygen, food and water.
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