Rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, was discovered in 1953 and has led to a wealth of research and information regarding the mysteries of sleep. Today, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart shares some interesting REM sleep facts.
The Purpose of Dreaming
Since early history man has been fascinated with the occurrence of dreams. Before the means for dream research existed, people theorized as to the meaning of dreams and why we have them. Ninteenth and 20th century European psychoanalysts expanded on theories put forth by philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato, defining the function of dreaming as a safe way to act out our unconscious desires. When people recall their dreams, however, they don’t seem to plausibly fit any particular theory as of yet, and even today we are not sure why we dream. In today’s sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart talks about the purpose of dreaming.
2014 Sleep in America Poll: Part 3
In his last sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, shared some results of this year’s National Sleep Foundation 2014 poll. He discussed the amount of sleep children get, and the role of electronics in the bedroom. In today’s blog, Dr. Stewart continues to share more of the results.
2014 Sleep in America Poll: Part 2
In his last sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, shared some results of this year’s National Sleep Foundation 2014 poll. The poll results are chuck full of interesting and useful information. In today’s blog, Dr. Stewart continues discussing some of the results.
2014 Sleep in America Poll: Part 1
Each year the National Sleep Foundation commissions a research service to conduct a national survey regarding sleep practices in the modern American family. The purpose of the poll this year was to examine beliefs held by modern families with school-aged children regarding sleep, and the sleep practices of these families. In today’s sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, shares some of the results of this year’s National Sleep Foundation 2014 poll.
Narcolepsy
Do you seem to literally fall asleep at the drop of a hat–even when you should be awake? Does sleep overcome you when you least expect it? Do you suspect you might have narcolepsy? People suffering from narcolepsy experience excessive sleepiness during the day when they should be feeling alert. In today’s sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, discusses narcolepsy.
Power Naps
During the Industrial Revolution laborers worked long and hard. Today many people have white collar jobs sitting in front of a computer for eight hours a day. What happens when people get sleepy? Can a power nap really make a difference in your energy level and productivity? And what exactly is a power nap? In today’s sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, explains what a power nap is and how they can be beneficial.
Monophasic Sleep Pattern
Have you ever heard of monophasic and polyphasic sleepers? While 85 percent of all mammals are polyphasic sleepers, humans fall in the minority of monophasic sleepers. But it wasn’t always that way. There are several theories as to when humans went from being polyphasic sleepers to monophasic sleepers. One theory holds that it was back some time between 70,000 and 40,000 BC that Neanderthal man shifted from a polyphasic to a monophasic sleep pattern. Another theory holds that it was due to the long work hours incorporated during the Industrial Revolution. Regardless of when and why, monophasic sleep does not appear to be natural for humans, nor the best way to sleep. In today’s sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, discusses sleep patterns.
Why We Sleep: Adenosine and Homeostasis 2
During the day when you are working or need to get things done, feeling tired can be a burden. Sometimes you simply cannot finish the task you are doing with any effectiveness if you don’t get some sort of rest, even if it’s just a 10 or 20 minute power nap. Why is it that we feel tired? In today’s sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, discusses homeostasis and how sleep works.
Why We Sleep: Adenosine and Homeostasis
You all know how important sleep is and how tired and lousy you feel when you don’t get it. You know it’s important to your mental and physical health, but most people don’t really understand their need for sleep. They know their bodies need rest to function properly and feel energetic, but they don’t really know why. In today’s sleep blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart, discusses adenosine and homeostasis two major factors involved with what makes you sleep.
