REM sleep represents 20-25% of the total sleep time. REM sleep follows NREM sleep and occurs 4-5 times during a normal 8- to 9-hour sleep period. The first REM period of the night may be less than 10 minutes in duration, while the last may exceed 60 minutes. In a normal nights sleep, REM occurs every 90 minutes. A normal sleep cycle has this pattern: waking, stage 1, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2, REM sleep
REM sleep is usually associated with dreaming. During REM sleep, the eyeballs move rapidly, the heart rate and breathing become rapid and irregular, and the blood pressure rises. The muscles of the body are virtually paralyzed. The brain is highly active during REM sleep, and the overall brain metabolism may be increased by as much as 20%. The electrical activity recorded in the brain during REM sleep is similar to that which is recorded during wakefulness.
|
This Sleep Apnea Wiki article is a stub. |