Role-Play

Patient: Ernaú
Doctor: Mina
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Patient: Good morning, Doctor.
Doctor: Good morning, Sofia. I have read that you are new in this country as a
student. Can you tell me what is going on?
Patient: Well, I’ve been feeling tired and weak. I can’t concentrate on my
classes, I forget things repeatedly, and I feel that even though I give all my effort
to concentrate on, I can’t hold back the new information I learn.
Doctor: I understand. It’s difficult to be a transferred student that is still learning
the language of the USA. It’s there anything else I need to know? Do you sleep
your correct hours?
Patient: Well, no, I am studying for my final test. It is really difficult for me, it’s
like, although I study very hard, I can’t remember anything.
Doctor: I can see the problem, you should sleep well, at least 8 hours per night.
Patient: Actually, I try to do that. But I can’t do it, I really need to study for the
exams, especially with the fact that my memory is too fragile and that I can’t
understand the topics well.
Doctor: Sofia, it’s not your memory, or your brain. The issue is your lack of
sleep.
Patient: I don’t understand…
Doctor: Let me explain. When you sleep you enter into 2 types of sleep: REM
and non-REM sleep, and it have 3 stages. You enter to the stage 3 after 90
minutes you fall asleep. So, if you lose hours of sleep, you will have less sleep
this stage.
Patient: But why entering into non-REM sleep if so important to our memory?
Doctor: Well, when you enter on non-REM sleep there begins a process in your
brain. This process passes the short-term memories you have on the
hippocampus to the neocortex, converting it on long-term memories.
Patient: That means if I sleep 8 hours per day I will pass more information to
the neocortex, and I will remember more stuff?
Doctor: Yes, exactly that.
Patient: So, how can I improve my sleep?
Doctor: First of all, you need to sleep at least 8 hours. You need to turn of your
electronic devices 30 minutes before you go to sleep. Also, you need to avoid
drinking coffee, sodas or drinks that contain caffeine before 2 hours you go to
sleep. And try to practice meditation or yoga before you go to sleep. This will
help you clearing your mind, so you will have a more restful sleep.
Patient: Now I understand why even though I was doing my best, I couldn't
understand the topics well. Thank you very much doctor.
Doctor: No, thanks to you