What Happens During the Different Stages of Sleep?

It’s almost impossible to overstate the value of a good night’s sleep. When you get a solid 7 – 8 hours of shuteye, you are able to function at your best and you are more likely to be in a good mood. Whether or not you sleep well depends largely on how your body moves through the different stages of sleep. Let’s talk about what happens during those stages and how obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can interfere with this important cycle.

Stages 1 and 2: Light Sleep

When you first drift off to sleep, you enter the initial phase of your sleep cycle. Your eye movements slow down, and you are still alert to a degree. It is relatively easy for outside stimuli to wake you up. Usually, stage 1 of the sleep cycle lasts for just a few minutes.

The second stage of sleep is also considered to be light sleep. However, this is when your brain begins to produce special waves called sleep spindles. These spindles may protect you against prematurely awakening. Stage 2 sleep may account for about half of your overall sleep cycle.

Stages 3 and 4: Deep Sleep and REM Sleep

Stage 3 of your cycle begins your time in “deep sleep,” which means that it is more difficult to awaken you. During this stage, your body’s healing mechanisms kick into high gear. Muscles and other tissues that incurred damage during the day begin to be repaired. Your body will also produce cytokines, which are an important of the immune system. For children and adolescents, deep sleep is a key part of their overall growth and development.

Following stage 3, you’ll progress into REM sleep. REM is an acronym that stands for rapid eye movement. The name comes from the fact that your eyes move in various directions. Your heartrate and blood pressure will also increase, and your breathing will become shallower. REM is the sleep stage wherein your brain consolidates new information and stores it in your memory.

You move through the entire sleep cycle several times each night, spending more and more time in REM sleep as the night goes on. Dreams often occur during REM sleep, so you may remember some dreams when you wake up.

The Dangerous Effects of OSA

OSA interrupts your body’s natural rhythm and deprives you of necessary time in stages 3 and 4 of your sleep cycle. Hence, you may experience mood problems, memory problems, and other health issues. The longer you suffer from OSA, the more serious its effects become.

Are you getting enough high-quality rest? If you think that OSA is interrupting your sleep cycle, seeking professional help may be the only way to get your health back on track.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a general dentist and sleep apnea expert in the Boca Raton area. He specializes in helping patients conquer OSA via oral appliance therapy. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Mogell and how he may be able to help you get the high-quality sleep your body needs, contact our practice at 561-353-5252.