Rapid eye movement sleep
(Redirected from Rapid eye movements)
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a unique phase of the sleep cycle characterized by rapid movement of the eyes, increased brain activity, dreaming, and temporary muscle paralysis.
Overview[edit | edit source]
REM sleep is one of the two basic states of sleep, the other being non-REM (NREM) sleep, which is further divided into stages 1-3. During a normal night's sleep, an individual will cycle through these stages multiple times, with REM sleep periods generally becoming longer as the night progresses.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Some of the key characteristics of REM sleep include:
- Rapid Eye Movements: This is the most distinguishing feature, from which the phase gets its name. The eyes move rapidly in various directions, though the reasons for these movements are not entirely understood.
- Increased Brain Activity: Brain activity during REM sleep is similar to that during wakefulness, and this is the period when most dreaming occurs.
- Muscle Atonia: Despite the increased brain activity, major voluntary muscles become paralyzed during REM sleep, presumably to prevent injury that could result from acting out dreams.
Importance of REM Sleep[edit | edit source]
REM sleep is believed to play a role in learning, memory consolidation, brain development in infants, and mood regulation. Lack of sufficient REM sleep has been associated with a number of negative health and cognitive effects.
Sleep Disorders and REM Sleep[edit | edit source]
Several sleep disorders are specifically related to REM sleep, such as REM sleep behavior disorder (a condition where muscle paralysis does not occur, allowing individuals to act out their dreams), and narcolepsy (a neurological disorder that affects control over sleep and wakefulness).
Diagnosis and Treatment[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities in REM sleep are often diagnosed with a sleep study, or polysomnography, which monitors various physiological parameters during sleep. Treatment depends on the specific sleep disorder present and may include lifestyle changes, medication, or therapies like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for sleep apnea.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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