|
| |||||||
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |||||||
Background Information on Sleep Physiology
Importance of good sleep Good sleep is essential for our core physical and mental well-being while poor sleep affects just about every aspect of our life. What cause sleep problem Lifestyle (eating late, jet lag, hunger, alcohol, caffeine, stimulant drugs), environment (noise, uncomfortable bed or bedroom), physical health problems (sleep apnea, asthma, tinnitus, pain, prostate problem, indigestion), psychological (stress, grief), mental health problem (depression, anxiety) and medications can all contribute to sleep problem. Insomnia may occur when none of the above is present. This is known as 'primary' insomnia which may be due to low melatonin level. It is for this reason melatonin is included in SleepWell™. If you occasionally or frequently struggle to fall asleep, wake up throughout the night, or wake too early in the morning, you are not alone. In fact a recent survey indicates as many as 80 million Americans fall into that category and is considered the second biggest health issue in the US. The cycles of sleep We normally go through 4 stages of sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep: Stage 1: Light Sleep transition between wakefulness and sleep, characterized by slow rolling eye movements. We are easily wakened up during this stage. Stage 2: Decreased Sensory Awareness - slower brain waves interspersed with rapid waves. Stage 3 & 4: Slow Wave Sleep or Deep Sleep - extremely slow brain waves. No eye movements or muscle activity. Heart and respiratory rates are very slow. Time spent in these stages of deep sleep decreases with age. REM sleep: Raid Eye Movement heart and respiratory rates increase, muscle twitches. This is when most vivid dreams occur. © 2008 NuLiv Lifestyle. All right reserved.
|
