Final answer:
The effects of sleep on respiration are influenced by factors such as neural control from the medulla oblongata and pons, stimuli received by the brain, and conditions like sleep apnea. Respiration tends to decrease in rate and volume during sleep, yet disorders like sleep apnea disrupt this pattern and lead to symptoms affecting overall health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effects of sleep on respiration vary according to a variety of factors, including:
- Neural control by the medulla oblongata and pons.
- Stimuli that the brain receives that may affect pulmonary ventilation, such as during exercise or high altitude situations, leading to changes in respiration patterns like hyperpnea.
- The presence of sleep apnea, which can either be obstructive or central, affecting the normal respiratory cycle during sleep.
- Physiologic factors related to the body's need for oxygen and the elimination of carbon dioxide.
During sleep, overall physical activity is low and sensory awareness is reduced, which generally leads to a decrease in respiration rate and volume. However, conditions such as central sleep apnea, induced by factors like stroke, congestive heart failure, or certain pharmacologic agents, can disrupt the normal respiratory cycle and result in periods where breathing temporarily ceases. It is important to note that these interruptions in breathing, characteristic of sleep apnea, can lead to symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and dry throat upon waking.