ABSTRACT
Sleep is defined as a reversible transient state of perceptual disengagement from one’s environment. Average humans spend between 6 and 8 hours per day or about one-third of their lifetime sleeping. Contrary to popular belief, sleep is an active process, and not a passive one; the brain during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is even more active than the brain in the awake state. There is still significant metabolism and oxygen consumption during this state of ‘rest’, and any disruption of oxygenation or interruption of this physiological process can lead to both night and day mani - festations such as snoring, choking sensations, apneic episodes, or daytime somnolence.
