Case Study: Sarah’s Sleep Patterns – Sleep Disorder & Health Impact
Sarah, a 35-year-old professional, has been experiencing sleep issues for several months. She reports difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and feeling unrefreshed in the morning. A sleep study reveals that Sarah spends a lot of time in Stage 1 and Stage 2 sleep but has very limited Stage 3 (N3) sleep and almost no REM sleep. She often experiences hypnic jerks shortly after falling asleep and wakes up frequently, especially after entering Stage 2 sleep.
How might Sarah’s limited deep and REM sleep be contributing to her current physical and mental symptoms?
Sleep Stage Reference for Analysis
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Stage 1 (Light Sleep): Transition from wakefulness to sleep; muscle activity slows; may experience sudden muscle contractions (hypnic jerks); easily awakened.
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Stage 2 (Light Sleep): Deeper than Stage 1; sleep spindles & K-complexes; body temperature drops, heart rate slows, and breathing becomes regular.
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Stage 3 (N3, Deep Sleep): Slow-wave sleep; deepest stage of non-REM sleep; essential for physical and mental restoration.
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REM (Rapid Eye Movement): Dream sleep; vivid dreaming; brain activity resembles wakefulness; important for memory, mood regulation, and learning.
