Microsleep

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Microsleep[edit | edit source]

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Microsleep is a brief, involuntary episode of sleep that lasts for a few seconds to a minute, occurring when an individual is awake but sleep-deprived. These episodes can lead to lapses in attention and potentially dangerous situations, such as accidents or errors in judgment.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of microsleep include:

  • Brief periods of drowsiness or sleepiness
  • Momentary lapses in attention or focus
  • Sudden head nodding or jerking

Causes[edit | edit source]

Microsleep can be caused by:

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Prevention strategies for microsleep include:

  • Ensuring adequate sleep
  • Practicing good sleep hygiene
  • Taking short naps during the day, if needed

Episodes[edit | edit source]

Microsleep episodes can occur without warning, often causing individuals to lose track of ongoing activities, such as conversations or tasks. They may also result in "gap driving," where drivers suddenly realize that they have no recollection of the past few seconds, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

Incidents[edit | edit source]

Several accidents and catastrophes have been attributed to microsleep episodes. For example, a microsleep episode is claimed to have been one factor contributing to the Waterfall train disaster in 2003, where the driver had a heart attack and the guard, who should have reacted to the train's increasing speed, is said to have experienced microsleep.

Microsleep Resources
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