Irregular sleep–wake rhythm Irregular sleep–wake rhythm is a rare form of circadian rhythm sleep disorder. It is characterized by numerous naps throughout the 24-hour period, no main nighttime sleep episode and irregularity from day to day.[1] Sufferers have no pattern of when they are awake or asleep, may have poor quality sleep, and often may be very sleepy while they are awake. The total time asleep per 24 hours is normal for the person's age.[2][3][4] The disorder is serious—an invisible disability. Nomenclature[edit] The current formally correct name of the disorder is Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder: Irregular Sleep Wake Rhythm Type.[5] This disorder has been referred to by many other terms, including: Irregular Sleep Wake Pattern,[6] irregular sleep wake syndrome,[7] Irregular Sleep Wake Rhythm,[8] Irregular Sleep Wake Cycle,[9] Irregular Sleep Wake Schedule[10] and Irregular Sleep Wake Disorder (ISWD).[4] Sometimes the words sleep and wake are hyphenated (sleep–wake). Causes[edit] Diagnosis[edit]
Chronobiology Chronobiology is a field of biology that examines periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar- and lunar-related rhythms.[1] These cycles are known as biological rhythms. Chronobiology comes from the ancient Greek χρόνος (chrónos, meaning "time"), and biology, which pertains to the study, or science, of life. The related terms chronomics and chronome have been used in some cases to describe either the molecular mechanisms involved in chronobiological phenomena or the more quantitative aspects of chronobiology, particularly where comparison of cycles between organisms is required. Chronobiological studies include but are not limited to comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, molecular biology and behavior of organisms within biological rhythms mechanics.[1] Other aspects include development, reproduction, ecology and evolution. Description[edit] The circadian rhythm can further be broken down into routine cycles during the 24-hour day:[2] History[edit]
Circadian rhythm sleep disorder Circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSD) are a family of sleep disorders affecting, among other things, the timing of sleep. People with circadian rhythm sleep disorders are unable to sleep and wake at the times required for normal work, school, and social needs. They are generally able to get enough sleep if allowed to sleep and wake at the times dictated by their body clocks. Unless they also have another sleep disorder, their sleep is of normal quality. Humans, like most animals and plants, have biological rhythms, known as circadian rhythms, which are controlled by a biological clock and work on a daily time scale. Sleep researcher Yaron Dagan states that "[t]hese disorders can lead to harmful psychological and functional difficulties and are often misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated due to the fact that doctors are unaware of their existence Types of circadian rhythm sleep disorders[edit] Extrinsic type[edit] Intrinsic type[edit] Normal circadian rhythms[edit] See also[edit]
Excessive daytime sleepiness Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is characterized by persistent sleepiness and often a general lack of energy, even after apparently adequate or even prolonged night time sleep. EDS can be considered as a broad condition encompassing several sleep disorders where increased sleep is a symptom, or as a symptom of another underlying disorder like narcolepsy, sleep apnoea or a circadian rhythm disorder. Some persons with EDS, including those with hypersomnias like narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, are compelled to nap repeatedly during the day; fighting off increasingly strong urges to sleep during inappropriate times such as while driving, while at work, during a meal, or in conversations. As the compulsion to sleep intensifies, the ability to complete tasks sharply diminishes, often mimicking the appearance of intoxication. Diagnosis[edit] A number of tools for screening for EDS have been developed. Causes[edit] EDS can be a symptom of a number of factors and disorders.
Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder Non-24-hour sleep–wake disorder (non-24), is one of several types of chronic circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs). It is defined as a "complaint of insomnia or excessive sleepiness related to abnormal synchronization between the 24-hour light–dark cycle and the endogenous circadian rhythms of sleep and wake propensity."[1] Symptoms result when the non-entrained (free-running) endogenous circadian rhythm drifts out of alignment with the desired or conventional sleep–wake schedule. However, the sleep pattern can be quite variable; some individuals adopt a sleep pattern that is congruent with their free-running circadian clock, shifting their sleep times (usually later), thereby minimizing their sleep symptoms but suffering major social and occupational consequences. Though often referred to as non-24, it is also known by the following terms: Mechanisms[edit] The circadian clock modulates many physiological rhythms. Characteristics[edit] Sighted[edit] Blind[edit] Symptoms[edit] Blind[edit]
B-Society | B for Balance Sleep diary A sleep diary with nighttime in the middle and the weekend in the middle, to better notice trends A sleep diary is a record of an individual's sleeping and waking times with related information, usually over a period of several weeks. It is self-reported or can be recorded by a care-giver. The sleep diary, or sleep log, is a tool used by doctors and patients.[1][2][3] It is a useful resource in the diagnosis and treatment of especially circadian rhythm sleep disorders, and in monitoring whether treatment of those and other sleep disorders is successful. Sleep diaries may be used in conjunction with actigraphy. In addition to being a useful tool for medical professionals in the diagnosis of sleep problems, a sleep diary can help make individuals more aware of the parameters affecting their sleep. Components[edit] The information contained in a sleep diary includes some or all of the following points: Data collection[edit] References[edit] Samples diaries[edit] External links[edit]
Night owl (person) Night owls may make natural amateur astronomers. A night owl or evening person is a person who tends to stay up until late at night. The term is derived from the primarily nocturnal habits of the owl. Usually, people who are night owls stay awake past midnight and extreme night owls may stay awake until just before or after dawn.[4] Night owls tend to feel most energetic just before they go to sleep at night. Some night owls have a preference or habit for staying up late, or stay up to work the night shift. Night owls who work the day shift often have difficulties adapting to standard day-time working hours. Owls, like this one in Poland, are often nocturnal. Researchers have found that the genetic make-up of the circadian timing system underpins the difference between the early bird and the night owl.[5] Some night owls who have great difficulty adopting normal sleeping and waking times may have delayed sleep phase disorder. A list of famous night owls includes:[14] J.
Síndrome de la fase del sueño retrasada El síndrome de la fase del sueño retrasada (SFSR) es un trastorno en el ritmo circadiano del sueño que afecta el tiempo de sueño, el ritmo de la temperatura del cuerpo, el nivel de atención del individuo, el ritmo hormonal y otros ritmos biológicos cotidianos, considerando los estándares de la población en general y sociales. Las personas con SFSR habitualmente se quedan dormidas algunas horas después de la medianoche y tienen dificultades para despertar por la mañana. Los pacientes frecuentemente afirman que no pueden dormir sino hasta altas horas de la madrugada; sin embargo, pueden dormir a la misma hora todos los días, a menos que tengan algún otro trastorno de sueño además del SFSR, los pacientes pueden dormir sus horas de sueño perfectamente, igual que el resto de las personas sin trastorno. El SFSR fue descubierto por el doctor Elliot D. Definición[editar] Según la Clasificación Internacional de los Trastornos del Sueño (ICSD), las características fundamentales del SFSR son:
Ketamina puede inducir todas las características de una experiencia cercana a la muerte La experiencia cercana a la muerte ha sido, en épocas recientes, uno de los fenómenos que más seducción ha generado en el ámbito científico, particularmente en la medicina, la neurociencia, la neurología, la psiquiatría y, fuera de la ciencia y ya en épocas remotas, a otros campos de conocimiento como la filosofía y la religión. Esa situación crítica al borde de la vida en que se sitúa el cuerpo y la mente humana ofrece un escenario enigmático, casi irrepetible, en el que el comportamiento del sujeto se ve alterado en aspectos insospechados. Entre los experimentos realizados al respecto, destaca el de Karl Jansen, psiquiatra que ha intentado emular la experiencia pero en un ambiente controlado, utilizando para ello ketamina, la conocida sustancia que aunque usada regularmente con fines analgésicos, también tiene la capacidad de inducir alucinaciones. [Disinfo]
Qué es más grande: ¿el cerebro humano o el universo? El cerebro humano tiene el tamaño de dos puños y pesa tres libras, pero puede hacer muchas cosas. Hamlet lo expresó bien: ”Podría estar encerrado en una cáscara de nuez y sentirme rey de un espacio infinito”. El universo, según la física, pese a ser enorme podría no ser infinito; el universo observable tiene un radio de 46 mil millones de años luz; el Big Bang, aparentemente el origen del universo, habría ocurrido hace 13.7 mil millones de años. El cerebro humano –con la concesión materialista de que éste genera la dimensión mental– puede ”crear” seres hipotéticos como “una piedra tan grande que ni siquiera dios la pueda cargar” e imaginar universos eternos, sin principio ni final. Aunque claro el debate es más complejo que solo imaginar (en realidad suponer que imaginamos) lo infinito y pensar que este acto supera a la realidad del universo. Robert Krulwich se hace esta pregunta en el sitio de NPR. The brain is wider than the sky, For, put them side by side, With ease, and you beside.
El cerebro se parece a todas las cosas del universo: el arte de las neuroimágenes (FOTOS El cerebro humano es el órgano más complejo que hemos encontrado hasta el momento en nuestra exploración del universo; es también el órgano principal a través del cual conocemos el universo. Esto exhíbe una paradoja, decía Einstein: “La mente es hermosa por la paradoja. Se usa a sí misma para entenderse a sí misma”. Habría que aceptar una pareidolia cognitiva, un delirio de autoproyección, un gestalt promiscuo, pero es parte de la naturaleza del hombre –justamente porque así está codificada la biocomputadora humana– verse a sí mismo reflejado en el mundo. Por todo esto es predecible que la representación viusal de la estructura cerebral –del hombre y de los demás animales– tenga un profundo atractivo artístico. Mapa del Internet realizado por el Opte Project. “Brainbow”, imagen del hipocampo generada por Tamily Weissmann. Lóbulo cerebral bajo un microcopio electrónico. “Dolor de cabeza”, de Helen Pynor. “Synaptogenesis” de Greg Dunn. Disección del cerebelo de Santiago Ramón y Cajal.
¿Cómo es que algo surgió de la nada? (las fluctuaciones cuánticas vs Dios Or say that the end precedes the beginning,And the end and the beginning were always thereBefore the beginning and after the end.And all is always now. -T.S. Elliot El tema de hoy es el tema de siempre. La vieja pregunta que atraviesa la historia del hombre y más allá y que genera todo tipo de paradojas, fascinaciones y frustraciones… la pregunta sobre el origen del universo (que es en el fondo la misma pregunta que ¿quién soy?). Saber que no sabemos no significa no querer saber y no maravillarse ante el misterio: salir a jugar en la noche a aprender a ver en la oscuridad. La versión más aceptada actualmente es que el universo surgió del Big-Bang y que antes de esta “gran explosion” no había nada. La física en cambio considera que el problema de la nada es en realidad un problema semántico. “Puedes formar un estado que no tenga quarks y antiquarks en él, y es totalmente inestable. Debido a la extrañeza inherente a la mecánica cuántica, “la nada” se transforma en algo constantemente.