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Why does the breathing pattern become so irregular during REM sleep? Uncover this physiological mystery!
Respiration, as a basic physiological process required for life, also plays an important role in our sleep. However, when we enter different stages of sleep, our breathing patterns change surprisingly. Especially during rapid eye movement sleep (REM), the irregular breathing pattern has attracted widespread attention from the scientific community. This article aims to explore the causes and effects of this physiological phenomenon.
Characteristics of rapid eye movement sleep
During REM sleep, the body undergoes a series of physiological changes. The most obvious feature of this stage is the instability of minute ventilation, with patterns including sudden changes in frequency and intensity, and sometimes apneas, lasting up to 10 to 30 seconds.
These breathing irregularities are not without reason. They are closely related to the eye movement context in REM sleep.
Physiological regulatory mechanism
Research shows that during REM sleep, the regulation of breathing does not rely on traditional chemoreceptors, but is driven by the activation of the behavioral respiratory control system. This means that changes in breathing patterns are physiologically natural and predictive rather than pathological. For example, total ventilation also appears very unstable during this phase and may increase, decrease, or remain the same.
Specific effects on breathing
When entering REM sleep, the role of abdominal muscles in breathing is relatively reduced, and the contribution of the ribs is reduced. This is because REM sleep is accompanied by muscle relaxation in the upper airway—especially reduced activation of the pharyngeal dilator muscles, resulting in increased airway resistance.
During REM sleep, the resistance in the upper airway increases significantly, making the entire breathing process more difficult.
The influence of blood gas changes
REM sleep is also accompanied by changes in arterial blood gases, with an increase in the decrease in blood oxygen partial pressure (pO2) and an increase in carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2). This indicates that respiratory efficiency will be inhibited during this stage.
Comparison with waking state
Breathing irregularities during REM sleep are more prominent when compared to breathing in the waking state. The average ventilation volume of healthy adults is about 7.66 liters per minute while awake, but only 6.46 liters per minute during REM sleep, showing a significant reduction.
This phenomenon reminds us that there are significant differences between the physiological control mechanism during REM sleep and the waking state.
The high impact of sleep
Altitude-related sleep studies have found that sleep quality and breathing change significantly as altitude increases. Residents of high-altitude areas often report irregular breathing patterns and more frequent awakenings. This means that changes in breathing are not only a matter of physiological mechanisms, but also related to environmental factors.
Relevance of sleep disorders
Sleep disorders can also affect breathing patterns and include conditions such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. This will provide the basis for our understanding of normal and abnormal breathing patterns.
Conclusion: The secret of breathing
Respiratory changes in REM sleep are undoubtedly a thought-provoking physiological process. This unstable breathing pattern not only affects sleep quality, but may also affect health. Future research may reveal more underlying physiological mechanisms and help us explore how to improve sleep quality and its impact on the body. What are your thoughts and understanding of these changes in breathing patterns during sleep?
