Insomnia Flashcards
Why do we sleep?
-evolutionary process (optimizing hunting/gathering, reduced metabolism during sleep)
-neural reorganization (memory solidification, enhancement of creative pathways, more important for younger patients)
-cellular repair and repletion (growth hormone release, protein synthesis, tissue growth, muscle repair)
Define: Sleep Latency
measures time between laying down to falling asleep
Define: Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO)
time spent awake after falling asleep
Define: Sleep Efficiency
percent of time in bed that is spent sleeping
Describe: Stage 1 (N1)
-common to experience “hypnic jerks”
-difficult to tell whether you are asleep
Describe: Stage 2 (N2)
-cessation of eye movement
-EEG recordings can display “sleep spindles” and K-complexes
Describe: Stage 3/4 (N3/N4)
-“slow-wave sleep”
-dreaming is more common
-release of growth hormone (GH)
Describe: REM (Rapid Eye Movement)
-similar EEG results to a wakeful state
-paralysis
-dreaming
-creativity and problem solving
Risk Factors: Insomnia
-middle-aged older adults
-women
-psychiatric or medical illness
-medications
-high stress
-lifestyle factors
Symptoms: Insomnia
-moodiness
-anxiety about sleep
-lack of motivation or energy
-irritability or anger
-poor memory
-headaches
-accidents while driving
-daytime sleepiness
-poor performance in school or work
-upset stomach
Define: Insomnia
difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up too early