Sleep Disorders

All About Sleep

Sleep is an important element of human flourishing and well-being, both subjectively and objectively. Sleep is necessary for a healthy and balanced life. We need to sleep long enough (quantity) and well enough (quality) to function well during waking hours. Nearly all physiological and behavioral functions in humans occur on a rhythmic basis, which in turn leads to dramatic diurnal rhythms in human performance capabilities. Sleepdex is dedicated to raising awareness of sleep issues and encouraging people to take sleep seriously.

Most adults need around eight hours of sleep to function well. Although many people claim they require less, doctors who study sleep find only 10% require significantly more or less sleep. Recent findings indicate that the chronic lack of sleep and untreated sleep disorders may be factors in the development of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

"Sleep rock thy brain" – Shakespeare, Hamlet

Scientists believe sleep may be a way of recharging the brain. The brain has a chance to shut down and repair neurons and to exercise important neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate due to lack of activity. Sleep appears necessary for our nervous systems to work properly. Too little sleep leaves us drowsy and unable to concentrate the next day. It also leads to impaired memory and physical performance and reduced ability to carry out math calculations. If sleep deprivation continues, hallucinations and mood swings may develop. Some experts believe sleep gives neurons used while we are awake a chance to shut down and repair themselves. Without sleep, neurons may become so depleted in energy or so polluted with byproducts of normal cellular activities that they begin to malfunction.

We typically spend more than two hours each night dreaming. Scientists do not know much about how or why we dream. Only during the 1950s when researchers first described rapid eye movement (REM) did scientists begin to carefully study sleep and dreaming. They soon realized that the strange, illogical experiences we call dreams almost always occur during REM sleep. There are typically five stages of sleep during a normal night's cycle.

Diagnostic tools, from X rays and electroencephalograms (EEGs) to CAT scans and NMR imaging, revolutionized procedures, diagnoses, and treatments of sleep disorders in the latter half of the 20th century. Likewise, advances are occurring at an unprecedented rate in the 21st century and scientists are learning more and more about sleep all the time.

Scientists still have an inadequate understanding of the physiology of sleep and the pathology of sleep disorders. Further, although neurodegenerative diseases are associated with abnormal slep, nobody knows if there is a cause-and-effect in place, and if so, which way it runs.

Sleep for Health

According to National Institutes of Health, "sleep and sleep-related problems play a role in a large number of human disorders and affect almost every field of medicine....At least 40 million Americans each year suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders each year, and an additional 20 million experience occasional sleeping problems." Factors to consider in assessing sleep include sleep disturbance, sleep adequacy, somnolence, quantity of sleep, snoring, and awakening short of breath or with a headache.

About one-third of Americans have symptoms of insomnia but less than 10% of those cases are identified by their doctors. Sleep deficit has become one for the most pervasive health problems facing the United States. Insomnia, both primary and secondary, can result in case accidents and industrial mishaps. It reduces motor, mental, and cognitive functions affecting performance at home, work, and school.

Other common sleep disorders include apnea, chronic snoring, Hypnos, god of sleep narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome.

Even if you don't have a true sleep disorder, you can improve your sleep habits and enjoy the benefits of better sleep. Our list of sleep tips can start you on your way to better nights.

Check out our sleep resources page for further information.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving leads to more than 100,000 motor vehicle crashes per year in the United States. Even small disruptions in sleep can wreak havoc on human safety and performance. More on drowsy driving.