Every person goes through a series of stages each time they sleep, and it’s ideal to get seven to nine hours of slumber every night. However, obstructive sleep apnea can awaken an individual more than a hundred times in a single night, which can significantly affect their overall health and quality of life. Here’s a brief guide to each of the stages of sleep as well as how sleep apnea can make it difficult to function during the day and lead to serious health conditions.
Stages 1 and 2: Dozing Off
A person’s eye movements will begin to slow down when they enter the first stage of sleep, but they will still be fairly alert to outside stimuli. This stage lasts for only a few minutes, and it’s not hard to wake the sleeper up. If a person wakes up after dozing off and claims that they were never asleep, they may have only been in stage one.
The second stage of sleep is still light, but it can last for about half of the total sleep cycle. During this stage, the brain will produce waves known as sleep spindles, which may help prevent the sleeper from waking up early.
Stages 3: Deep Sleep
Stage three is referred to as “deep sleep” because it makes it much harder to awaken someone. During this stage, the body relaxes as the muscles and other tissues repair the wear and tear they sustained during the day, and cytokines will be released into the bloodstream to boost the immune system and replenish the energy in cells. This stage is especially important for children and teenagers’ growth and development.
Stage 4: Rapid Eye Movement
Rapid eye movement sleep, or REM, is named for how it makes the eyes move erratically. This stage also involves the heart pumping faster, higher blood pressure, and breathing patterns that are shallow and somewhat irregular. While this stage is not completely understood, research strongly suggests that this is when the brain sorts through and categorizes new information gathered throughout the day. This stage is important for the development of memory and is when most dreaming occurs.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect the Body?
When the muscles and other tissues of the body relax during sleep, the structures in the neck can weigh heavily upon the windpipe. For a person with sleep apnea, this will cause the airway to become restricted, leading to them waking up short of breath. Having your sleep frequently disrupted in this way can lead to issues like:
- Grogginess
- Irritability
- Difficulty staying awake
- Depression
- Overeating
- Fatigue
- Falling asleep while driving or operating heavy machinery
Sleep apnea is also associated with serious health issues like gum disease, cardiovascular events, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
While the frustration sleep apnea causes is enough to make treating the condition important, the hazards it presents to your mental and overall health make this issue even more urgent. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to get better rest.
About the Author
Dr. Tad Morgan earned his dental degree at Baylor College of Dentistry and completed his general residency at St. Anthony Hospital. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists. His office in Bullard offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as sleep apnea treatments. If you are concerned about sleep apnea, contact his office online or dial (903) 825-1112.