Case 1
Sleep is a well known phenomena and requires no introduction as it is known that every individual requires some sleep. During the process of going to sleep an individual goes through several stages. The first stage involves a slight hazy feeling that is easily disrupted by even light noise. In the second stage most physiological activity significantly slows down and the heart beat, breathing and mental activity all reduced slightly. There are two further stages of sleep during which the body experiences even greater changes. The process of sleep involves a cycle through these stages throughout the period of rest (Schenck and Schenck, 2007).
Healthy sleep is essential for an individual’s productivity and overall health. However, sleep deprivation is becoming a common problem in society owing to a number of reasons. The inability to fall asleep results in individuals experiencing a number of problems. An occasional lapse is normal but a repeated occurrence of the phenomenon over a period of time should not be left unattended as it could lead to serious problems for the individual (Schenck and Schenck, 2007).
The importance of sleep has led to many theories on the functions of sleep in organisms. One such theory, the recuperative theory suggests that sleep is period during which recovery and repair occur. Recent studies on this theory have proposed process involved with immune function or thermoregulation as part of the processes that occur during sleep. One problem with this theory is the fact that REM sleep is not adaptive and temperature control is reduced significantly (Wagner & Silber, 2004). However, there is evidence of a restorative function of SW sleep. It has been noted that people sleep better after exercise and that selective exercises are known to increase SW sleep. Exercise increases the temperature of the brain and thus induces sleep; it has been proven that heating of the temperature of the head even without exercise increases SW sleep. This is probably because the basal areas of the fore brain that control sleep are also involved regulation of temperature (Wagner & Silber, 2004).
Another theory that has been proposed in relation to sleep is the Circadian theory which suggests that sleep evolved as a mechanism to fit organisms into the light dark cycle of the world. According to this theory during the periods of darkness and sleep the animals would conserve energy that they will use during periods of light when they are more active. In the case of some species of animals this theory fits much more appropriately than the recuperative theory (Wagner & Silber, 2004). While there is no relationship between body size, activity level and sleep periods are related to the need to obtain nourishment. It has been noted that grazing animals often sleep for shorter periods than hunting animals. Based on the brief information provided on the topic it would appear that the recuperative theory is more justified. It is known that most hunters hunt at night and therefore take advantage of the dark to capture their prey. As opposed to fitting in with the light dark cycle it would appear more logical to assume organisms use sleep as a period to recover from their activities.
Case 2
As is the case with most medical disorders the importance of taking a history is an essential step to identifying the presence of insomnia. The information normally collected in the form of an interview enables the clinician to obtain an overview of the problem. Through this interview the clinician finds out about the nature, developmental course and degree of the sleep disorder (Morin & Espie, 2003). Insomnia is a more common problem among older people with some of the complaints arising from diminished efficiency.
Among the common approaches used in treatment of insomnia is the use of sleeping pills. These drugs are used by the patients to induce sleep and it has been reported that over 20% in intermediate care facilities use these pills as a remedy for their problem. However, most of these drugs lose their effectiveness after a period of between 20 and 30 days after which they are taken to prevent withdrawal insomnia. An effective initial approach for older patients is the discontinuation of the use of substances such as caffeine and alcohol generally known to disrupt sleep (Coffey & Cummings, 2000). Also it is important to improve sleep hygiene by increasing day time activity and setting a regular wake up time.
Another common problem associated with sleep is sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the symptoms of sleep apnea and this disorder can be potentially fatal. When someone is suffering from sleep apnea, breathing stops many times during sleep. As a result of this the amount of oxygen in the blood stream reduces each time breathing stops. Due to this imbalance the person may wake up often during the night to breathe. Most sufferers of this disorder do not notice it while the disorder can greatly increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease (Pascualy, 2008).
Another symptom that is common among patients with insomnia is known as myoclonus. This disorder is identified by the occurrence of sudden involuntary muscle movements caused by active muscular contractions. This contraction may take the form of single irregular jerks or constant repetitive contractions. The degree may vary from a mild jerk that moves a join to a major jerk moving the entire body (Coffey & Cummings, 2000). The contraction may be triggered spontaneously or due to movement, soft touch, sudden noise or light. Another common syndrome affecting insomnia patients is the restless legs syndrome. Patients suffering from this syndrome may demonstrate a variety of secondary movements such as rubbing legs, pacing or wriggling ankles. Such symptoms interfere with sleep. Restless legs are among the major causes of insomnia after psychiatric disorders, drug abuse and sleep apnea (Coffey & Cummings, 2000).
Case 3
Stress is a very common issue in the world today. The hectic pace of living in today’s world is among the leading causes of stress. Stress is a situation where the patient feels totally helpless and may gradually become unable to make any decision regarding their lives. Stress can lead to depression and for this reason should be avoided. Stress can be caused by a number of factors such as increased demands at work or in the home, frustration in pursuit of a certain goal, or worrying too much. Stress management is important in management of anxiety as it has been reported that 60% of people who find their jobs stressful have no stress management plan. As a result of this they easily get swamped within the issues surrounding them.
Influenza is an infectious disease caused by a viral pathogen. The virus causes a number of symptoms and is very easily transmitted from one individual to another. The most common symptoms of influenza include a runny nose and sneezing. The droplets that are released while sneezing are potential sources of infection and it is advisable to cover the nose to prevent infection. In addition to this influenza may also be accompanied by a high fever and headaches. Although this disease has been known for a long time the pathogen that causes it is not easily managed and most medication available is used in controlling the symptoms (Potter, 2002). In recent years there have been near international disasters that have been the result of various strains of the influenza pathogen e.g. avian flu.
Cancer is a group of diseases that share a common characteristic of uncontrolled growth of a cell or group of cells. In some cases in advanced stages these cells continue growing and invade other regions of the body. Most cancers form some kind of tumor and the disease is among the leading causes of death in many parts of the world. It has been reported that cancer is mainly caused due to lifestyle and eating habits. The disease continues to be a mystery that medical professionals are studying to date. Its successful treatment depends heavily on how soon it is detected and for this reason people are often advised to go for scanning if they suspect any anomaly. Among the common treatments for this disease is radiation therapy that is meant to destroy the damaged cells and prevent the spread to other body parts. Cancer is known to infect the breast in women, prostate in men, throat, stomach, blood and many other areas (Ko, Dollinger & Rosenbaum, 2008).
References
Coffey, C. E., Cummings, J. L. (2000). The American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Geriatric Neuropsychiatry. USA: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.
Ko, A. H., Dollinger, M., & Rosenbaum, E. H. (2008). Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Therapy: Hw is Cancer Diagnosed. Missouri: Andrews McMeel Books.
Morin, C. M., & Espie, C. A. (2003). Insomnia: A Clinical Guide to Assessment and Treatment, Volume 1. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum.
Pascualy, R. A. (2008). Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Sleep well, Feel Better. New York: Demos Medical Publishing.
Potter, C. W. (2002). Influenza. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science BV.
Schenck, C. H., & Schenck, C. (2007). Sleep: The Mysteries, Problems and the Solutions. New York: Penguin Group.
Wagner, H. L., & Silber, K. (2004). Physiological Psychology. Oxon: Garland Science / BIOS Scientific Publishers.