Breathing During Rem Sleep: Faster Or Slower?

Sleep is a complex biological process that involves various physiological changes, including alterations in breathing patterns. The respiratory rate, or the pace of breathing, tends to slow down during sleep, primarily due to a decrease in metabolic rate and sympathetic activity. However, during the REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep stage, breathing becomes faster and more erratic. This irregular breathing pattern is not random but corresponds to bursts of eye movements and is influenced by the activation of the behavioural respiratory control system. While the quantitative measure of airflow can vary during this stage, breathing becomes faster, shallower, and less regular, possibly due to throat muscle relaxation and reduced rib cage movement.

Breathing rate doubles during REM sleep

During the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep stage, the breathing rate can double. This is due to various biological and muscular changes that occur when we fall asleep.

Breathing and Sleep

Sleep has a significant impact on breathing patterns. When we sleep, our breathing changes due to biological processes that affect our respiratory and muscular systems. As we transition from wakefulness to sleep, our minute ventilation (the amount of air we breathe per minute) decreases due to a reduced metabolic rate.

Non-REM Sleep

During non-REM sleep, which makes up about 80% of an adult's sleeping time, breathing is slow and regular. As we move through the three stages of non-REM sleep, our breathing slows further as our sleep deepens.

REM Sleep

In contrast, during REM sleep, the breathing rate increases and becomes more erratic. This is because throat muscles relax, and there is less movement of the rib cage. Additionally, the breathing pattern during REM sleep is controlled by the activation of the behavioural respiratory control system, resulting in fluctuations that correspond to bursts of eye movements.

Research Studies

A study of 11 healthy volunteers found that all subjects experienced at least one episode of doubled breathing rate during REM sleep. Another study of 19 healthy adults showed that minute ventilation during REM sleep was 6.46 litres/minute, compared to 7.66 litres/minute when awake.

Implications

The increase in breathing rate during REM sleep can have implications for certain health conditions. For example, people with sleep apnea may experience more frequent apneas or hypopneas during REM sleep due to the combination of increased airflow resistance and reduced respiratory muscle tone.

REM sleep is when we dream

Dreams typically happen during REM sleep, and your deepest sleep occurs during non-REM sleep. After you fall asleep, non-REM sleep comes first, followed by a shorter period of REM sleep, and then the cycle starts over again. Each cycle lasts between 90 and 120 minutes and includes three stages of non-REM sleep and a stage of REM sleep.

During REM sleep, your breathing rate increases, and it becomes more shallow and less regular. This may be due to throat muscles relaxing or reduced movement of the rib cage. Your oxygen levels are lower, and carbon dioxide levels are higher.

REM sleep is important for learning and memory. It stimulates the areas of your brain that help with learning and memory retention. During this stage, your brain repairs itself and processes emotional experiences.

If you don't get enough REM sleep, you may experience symptoms such as trouble coping with emotions, difficulty concentrating, a weakened immune system, and feeling groggy in the morning.

Breathing is more shallow and irregular during REM sleep

During REM sleep, your breathing becomes more shallow and irregular. This is due to a number of factors, including the relaxation of throat muscles and reduced movement of the rib cage. The breathing rate can double during REM sleep, and it is also affected by the suppression of the cough reflex.

The respiratory rate is determined by metabolic rate when we sleep. During non-REM sleep, which makes up about 80% of an adult's sleeping time, breathing is slow and regular. As we transition from wakefulness to sleep, minute ventilation (the amount of air we breathe per minute) decreases due to a drop in metabolism.

During REM sleep, however, the breathing rate increases, and this is when we typically dream. The respiratory rate can be affected by several factors, including age, weight, and health conditions such as sleep apnea.

In addition to respiratory changes, other bodily functions are also affected during REM sleep. For example, brain activity increases, sometimes even surpassing activity during the day. Blood flow to the brain and metabolism in the brain also increase. Heart rate and blood pressure rise and become more variable, similar to daytime patterns.

Breathing rate is determined by metabolic rate when asleep

When we sleep, our breathing changes due to biological processes that affect our respiratory and muscular systems. These changes are caused by biological alterations in the processes that regulate our breathing.

During non-REM sleep, which makes up about 80% of an adult's sleeping time, breathing slows down and becomes more regular. This is because the minute ventilation (the amount of air we breathe per minute) decreases due to a reduced metabolic rate. As we transition through the three stages of non-REM sleep, our breathing slows further, reducing by 13% in the second stage and 15% in the third.

However, during REM sleep, breathing rates increase again and become more shallow and erratic. This is because breathing during REM sleep is controlled by the activation of the behavioural respiratory control system, which is influenced by REM sleep processes. While the quantitative measure of airflow during REM sleep can vary, it has been shown to increase in some cases. This is further supported by a study of 11 healthy volunteers, which found that all subjects experienced a rapid increase in breathing rate of more than twofold during REM sleep.

Therefore, it can be concluded that breathing rate is determined by metabolic rate when asleep. During non-REM sleep, a decrease in metabolic rate leads to slower and more regular breathing, while during REM sleep, metabolic rate increases result in faster and more erratic breathing.

Irregular breathing during REM sleep is not random

During REM sleep, your breathing rate increases and becomes more erratic and irregular. This is not a random occurrence, but rather a result of physiological changes in the body. These changes are different from abnormal breathing patterns observed in sleep disordered breathing. Instead, they are driven by the activation of the behavioural respiratory control system by REM sleep processes.

The breathing pattern during REM sleep is influenced by the interaction of two distinct neurophysiological states: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. During NREM sleep, breathing slows down as the body transitions through three progressively deeper sleep stages. This is due to a decrease in metabolic rate and sympathetic activity.

In contrast, during REM sleep, the breathing pattern is influenced by the behavioural system and exhibits erratic fluctuations. While the exact cause of these fluctuations is not fully understood, research suggests that it is related to the loss of the wakefulness stimulus and the state-related fluctuation of excitatory and inhibitory impacts on respiration. The withdrawal of the wakefulness stimulus during sleep makes the respiratory control system highly sensitive to transient reductions in carbon dioxide levels, predisposing individuals with low carbon dioxide reserve or high upper airway collapsibility to apnea.

Additionally, the reduction in respiratory muscle tone during REM sleep, particularly the inhibition of intercostal muscle activity, contributes to hypoventilation. This decrease in intercostal muscle activity is the primary cause of hypoventilation in individuals with borderline pulmonary function. Furthermore, the increase in upper airway resistance during REM sleep, due to atonia of the pharyngeal dilator muscles and partial airway collapse, can further disrupt breathing patterns.

In summary, irregular breathing during REM sleep is not random but is influenced by various physiological and neurological factors. These factors include the loss of the wakefulness stimulus, state-related fluctuations in respiratory drive, reduction in respiratory muscle tone, and increased upper airway resistance. Understanding these factors can provide insights into the complex nature of breathing during REM sleep and its potential implications for respiratory health.

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