Freak 1 (page 269 – 285)

First, one should explain to Professor Hogan the cycles and importance of
sleep. Each person has their own biological rhythms. Biological rhythms are
periodic physiological fluctuations, and acts as a control for one’s biological clock.
Our sleep follows these biological rhythms and our biological clock is known as the
circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm is the biological clock; regular bodily rhythms
that occur on a 24 hour cycle. Humans typically rise in the morning, peak during the
day, and dips for a time in early afternoon. However, biological clocks can adjust
with our bodies through time.
When we sleep we go through sleep stages. About every 90 or 100 minutes,
we pass through a cycle of five distinct sleep stages. Concerning Professor Hogan’s
problem, when one’s brain metabolism slows down, one tries to fight sleepiness and
yawn to increase their heart rate. When one is in this slow, relaxed state of sleep,
alpha waves show in one’s brain. Alpha waves are the relatively slow brain waves
of a relaxed, awake state. As these sleep waves create a relaxed state, then one will
slip into sleep. Sleep is a periodic, natural, reversible loss of consciousness- as
distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or
hibernation. As you sleep through stages 3 & 4, delta waves can be measured.
Delta waves are large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep. After one
enters into deep sleep, they will experience the REM cycle. REM sleep is a rapid
eye movement sleep, a recurring sleep stage during which vivid dreams commonly
occur. In this stage, muscles are relaxed and only other body systems are active.
It is important to also explain the effects of sleep deprivation to Professor
Hogan. A major effect of lessened sleep is not only sleepiness but a general
malaise. Also, humans create sleep debt. Sleep debt is the idea that as one gets
less sleep each night; their debt of deficient sleep grows and later becomes harder
to recuperate. Deficiency of sleep creates long term side effects; suppression of the
immune system, chronic sleep debt, altered metabolism, immature aging, and
impaired concentration.
Sleep is vital to restoring our body and its defenses.
In advice to Professor Hogan, one should tell him to relax before sleeping
instead of jogging around the block. Perhaps meditating, or focusing on ones
thoughts, will help him relax into the sleep process. Also, one should advise Hogan
to see if he has any sleep disorders. There are many possibilities of sleep disorders
that Professor Hogan may have. Insomnia is recurring sleep problems in falling or
staying asleep. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable
sleep attacks: The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at the
inappropriate times (it is unlikely the the Professor suffers from narcolepsy). Sleep
apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing
during sleep and consequent momentary reawakenings.
All states sleep disorders interrupt and create a lack of deep sleep, Professor
Hogan can be afflicted by one of these disorders.
Overall, the main idea that one needs to tell Professor Hogan is that we need
REM sleep. Deprived of REM sleep, people are more likely to return to REM sleep
after a long time of deprivation. REM Rebound is the tendency for REM sleep to
increase following REM sleep deprivation.
Hopefully, the correct diagnosis will help Hogan get the REM sleep he needs.