In a healthy adult, the first cycle is always initiated by going from wakefulness to non-REM sleep. The first REM period always follows the first period of non-REM sleep, and the two sleep states continue to alternate throughout the night with an average period of about 90 minutes. Benzodiazepines - Class of compounds developed in the 1950's which tranquilize and sedate. Its most important function is to foster the daily alternation of sleep and wakefulness. The biological clock is housed in a pair of tiny bilateral brain areas called the suprachiasmatic nuclei .
Some tests also indicate if a patient is sitting up.
The amount of time spent sleeping in each position and the occurrence of respiratory events in a particular position are tabulated. Body position is recorded in both diagnostic sleep studies and titration studies. Bradycardia - A heart rhythm with a rate below 60 beats per minute in a human adult. Bruxism - Grinding one's teeth while asleep. Copyright 2000 SleepQuest.