A Closer Look at the Different Stages of Sleep & the Impact of Sleep Apnea

We all know that a good night’s sleep makes us feel refreshed and energized for the day ahead, but what many people don’t realize is that sleep happens in different stages—and each stage plays a vital role in keeping your mind and body healthy. When conditions like sleep apnea interfere with these stages, the quality of your rest can suffer. Here’s a closer look at the different stages of sleep and why each one is so important, along with why sleep apnea is worth treating if your sleep is being impacted.

The Different Stages of Sleep

Sleep isn’t just one long, continuous state; when you’re asleep, you’re cycling through a few distinct stages multiple times each night:

• Stage 1 (N1) is the lightest stage of sleep and occurs as a person first falls asleep.
• Stage 2 (N2) is where the body starts to relax more deeply. The body temperature drops, muscles relax and ease up, and a person’s heart rate and breathing both slow.
• Stage 3 (N3) is the deepest and most restorative stage of sleep, and is what allows your body to recover, repair damage, and grow.
• Stage 4 (REM Sleep) is where most dreaming occurs, brain activity increases, and the body becomes temporarily paralyzed.

How Sleep Apnea Disrupts the Cycle

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep—often because of a blocked airway. Every time this happens, the body briefly wakes up to resume breathing, even if you don’t realize it’s happening. Needless to say, this prevents REM sleep from occurring, which means you won’t achieve restful sleep the longer this vicious cycle continues. While other factors, like age, alcohol and caffeine, dust and allergens, or simple loud disruptions, can all impact sleeping patterns, sleep apnea is often one of the most prevalent causes.

What’s worse is that sleep apnea doesn’t just prevent you from achieving REM sleep consistently; it can also lead to several health problems, including higher blood pressure as well as an increased risk of issues like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. It can also lower your immune system and make you more susceptible to things like the common cold or flu.

If you snore loudly, wake up gasping for air, or feel tired no matter how much you sleep, these may be signs that it’s time to seek an evaluation for sleep apnea. Restoring your sleep cycle—and achieving all the proper stages of sleep as intended—is your body’s best bet for feeling and functioning at its best, day in and day out.

About the Practice

Our team here at Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine has proudly served the needs of patients in Weatherford and the surrounding North Texas area for several years under the leadership of Dr. Deborah A. Romack. We offer a wide range of services, including sleep apnea treatment in the form of custom-made oral appliances, combined therapy, and more. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (817) 594-3806.