Insomnia Flashcards
1
Q
What causes/initiates the strong physiological necessity to sleep?
A
- 24 hour circadian rhythm
- Melatonin
- Adenosine
2
Q
24 Hour Circadian Rhythm
A
- Adrenal corticosteroids are important!!!
- Two suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of anterior hypothalamus coordinate this behavior
- Light exposure provides the primary time cue for the central clock in the SCN and suppresses melatonin synthesis by pineal gland
- Core body temperature drops and may help initiate and maintain sleep
3
Q
Melatonnin
A
- Secreted from pineal gland in response to light/dark cycles
- Low during daylight and increases the onset of darkness
- Important for the time of sleep onset, not as effective for duration
4
Q
Adenosine
A
- Present in all human cells
- Degradation product of ATP that produces sleep
- Adenosine accumulates in high amounts during daytime brain activity and stimulates the desire/need to sleep
- Methylxanthines are adenosine antagonist that increase wakefulness (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine)
5
Q
Why is sleep necessary?
A
- “Flushes-out” brain’s metabolic products
- Glymphatic system: perivascular system formed by astroglial cells to eliminate soluble proteins and metabolites form the CNS
- Volume of this system increases to 22-24% while sleeps, a significant increase compared to waking volume
- ECV increases by 60% during sleep from the shrinking/swelling of glial cells through the glymphatic system
6
Q
Insomnia Guidelines
A
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
2. Shared decision-making process to decide on pharmacological therapy in those where CBT was unsuccessful
7
Q
Hyposomnia
A
- Symptom ofother illnesses
- Could be do to pain, sleep apnea, COPD, GERD, angina, drug withdrawal, incontinence, depression, or anxiety
Treat symptoms FIRST before treating with hypnotics
8
Q
Drugs + Insomnia
A
- Levodopa
- Bupropion
- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Theophylline
- Corticosteroids
- PSE
- Phenytoin
9
Q
Healthy Sleep Hygiene
A
- Limit daytime naps to 30 minutes
- , Avoid stimulants like caffeine too close to bedtime. Also avoid alcohol too close to bedtime due to withdrawal and nighttime wakefulness
- Exercise to promote good sleep quality, avoid too strenuous of exercises too close to bedtime
- Avoid heavy/rich foods
- Ensure adequate exposure to natural light to help with light/dark cycles
- Establish regular, relaxing bedtime routine
- Pleasant sleep environment that is preferably 60-67 degrees for optimal sleep
- Avoid prolonged use of light-emitting screens before bedtime and decrease bedroom stimuli
10
Q
Ideal Hypnotic Medication
A
- Rapid onset and short duration
- Pattern of sleep should be normal
- No hangover
11
Q
Insomnia Facts
A
- 1 in 3 experience insomnia symptoms but only 1 in 10 take medication to help
- 4.6X increase in risk of death in those prescribed sleeping pills long term
- Those requiring chronic sleep med use should be tested in a sleep lab to identify specific problems
12
Q
Sleep Stages (5)
A
- Stages 1-2: very light
- Stages 3-4 slow wave sleep that is progressively deeper
- Stage 4: delta sleep, slow EEG (1/2-3 Hz), night terrors
- Stage 5: REM, 25% total sleep, dreaming
13
Q
Stage 5 Phases
A
- Tonic
- Phasic
14
Q
Tonic Phase
A
- REM
- Rapid, low voltage EEG (15 Hz)
- Inhibition of muscle tone
- Increase in brain blood flow to 200%
- Erections occur - cna help to ascertain the origin of ED
15
Q
Phasic Phase
A
- Increased BP
- Increased HR
- Increased respiration
16
Q
Effects of Barbiturates on Sleep
A
- Increased total sleep
- Stage 3 and 4 are always depressed
- REM sleep is depressed until tolerance is developed
- REM rebound during withdrawal