Sleep and Drowsy Driving Steve Erickson RT, RPSGT
Sleep and Drowsy Driving
Steve Erickson RT, RPSGT
• What happens when we sleep?• How much sleep do we need?• Tips for better sleep.• Sleep disorders.• What is the definition of drowsy.• Drowsy driving.• How to know when you should not drive.
What Happens When We Sleep?
Sleep Architecture Follows a Pattern of REM (Rapid Eye
Movement) and NREM (Non Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep
Throughout a Typical Night in a Cycle That Repeats Itself About Every 90 Minutes.
Stage 1
• Between awake and falling asleep• Light sleep• Stage 1 can be considered a transitional stage.
Stage 2
• Onset of sleep
• Becoming disengaged from surroundings
• Breathing and heart rate are regular
• Body temp drops (so sleeping in a cool room is helpful)
• Memory consolidation and preservation begins
Stage 3• Deepest and most restorative sleep
• Blood pressure drops
• Breathing becomes slower
• Muscles are relaxed
• Blood supply to the muscles increases
• Tissue growth and repair occurs
• Energy is restored
• Hormones are released, such as: growth hormone, essential for growth and muscle development
REM
(25% of night): First occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep and recurs about every 90 minutes, getting longer into the night.
REM Continued
• Provides energy to the brain and body
• Supports daytime performance
• Brain is active and dreams occur
• Eyes dart back and forth
• Body becomes immobile and relaxed as muscles are turned off
Sleep Continued
In addition, levels of the hormone cortisol dip at bed time and increase over the night to promote alertness in the morning.
When we sleep well, we wake up feeling refreshed and alert for our daily activities. Sleep affects how we look, feel and perform on a daily basis, and can have a major impact on our overall quality of life.
How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?
Age Sleep Needs
Newborns (1-2 months)Infants (3-11 months)
Toddlers (1-3 years)Preschoolers (3-5 years)School-aged Children (5-12 years)Teens (11-17)AdultsOlder Adults
10.5-18 hours9-12 hours & 30 minute to 2 hour naps 4 times a day12-14 hours11-13 hours10-11 hours8.5-9.25 hours7-9 hours7-9 hours
There Is No Magic Number
Consequences From Lack of Sleep
• Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.
• Increase in body mass index – a greater likelihood of obesity due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation.
• Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems.
• Increased risk for psychiatric conditions including depression and substance abuse.
To Pave the Way to Better Sleep, Experts Recommend
You Follow These Sleep Tips.
• Establish consistent sleep and wake schedules, even on weekends
• Create a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as reading a book or listening to soothing music – begin an hour or more before the time you expect to fall asleep. Your mind can be trained when it’s time to sleep
• Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool
• Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex (keep "sleep stealers" out of the bedroom – avoid watching TV, using a computer or texting in bed)
• Exercise regularly during the day, but at least a few hours before bedtime
• Avoid caffeine close to bedtime. Tobacco and alcohol should be avoided regardless. Especially in relation to sleep.
Sleep helps us thrive by contributing to a healthy immune system, and can balance our appetites by helping to regulate levels of the hormones
ghrelin and leptin, which play a role in our feelings of hunger and fullness.
So when we are sleep deprived, we may feel the need to eat more, which can lead to weight gain. The one-third of
our lives that we spend sleeping, for from being “unproductive”, plays a direct role in how full, energetic and successful the other two-thirds of our lives can be.
Sleep Disorders
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Disorder in which sleep is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep.
• Occurs in all age groups and both sexes.
• Increased risk factors include; Small upper airway, large tongue or tonsils, being overweight, recessed chin, small jaw, neck 17 inches or greater for men/ 16 for women, smoking and alcohol use, being age 40 and older.
Symptoms of OSA
• Chronic snoring, sore throat in morning.• Choking or gasping for breath at night.• Headaches upon awakening.• Difficulty concentrating.• Feeling tired after sleep, not feeling
refreshed.• Naps during the day. If so. Are they
restful?• Falling asleep while driving
Reggie White 12/19/1961 - 12/26/2004
Other Disorders That Affect Sleep
• Narcolepsy• Central sleep
apnea• Periodic limb
movement syndrome
• Restless leg syndrome
• Idiopathic hypersomnia
• Nightmares
• Night Terrors• Enuresis• Kleine-Levin
syndrome• Sleep onset
paralysis• Hypnogogic/
pompic hallucinations
If you feel that you suffer from any of these symptoms, or that the quality of your sleep is poor. You may want to talk to your parents about a consultation with a doctor
who specializes in sleep.
What Is the Definition of Drowsy?
• 1 a: ready to fall asleep <the pills made her drowsy> b: inducing or tending to induce sleep <drowsy music> c: indolent, lethargic <drowsy bureaucrats>2: giving the appearance of peaceful inactivity
Drowsiness Is Red Alert! Drowsiness Is the Last Step Before Falling
Asleep, Not the First. Drowsiness May Mean You Are Seconds From
a Disaster.-William Dement M.D.
Drowsy Driving
Before You Drive, Consider Whether You Are:
• Sleep deprived or fatigued (6 hours or less triples your risk).
• Suffering from sleep loss (insomnia) , poor quality sleep, or a sleep debt.
• Driving long distances without proper rest breaks.
• Driving through the night or when you would normally be asleep.
• Driving alone or on a long, rural, dark or boring road.
Herb Brooks 8/5/1937 - 8/11/2003
Thank You
Pediatric Home Service
Respiratory Therapist
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Roseville, MN 55113
651-642-1825