What is Microsleep?

It is a brief episode of sleep. It can last a maximum of only a few seconds. In those few seconds a person can be seen as closing their biological cameras, or be seen as disengaged and unresponsive to their surroundings. The Sleep Foundation states that episodes of sleep can last a brief maximum of 15 seconds. Sleep-like states can be a consequence of many other things including boredom and fatigue. Most people are not aware that they have entered a sleep-like state, and might feel that they just focused on a stationary object.


Common Symptoms of Microsleep

Microsleep does not involve sudden and dramatic changes to one's behavior. It can be very discrete and, at times, unnoticeable.

Common signs of microsleep include:


  • Drifting in and out of sleep while driving
  • Heavy eyelids
  • Head nodding
  • A blank stare
  • Sudden loss of attention
  • Missing parts of a conversation
  • Forgetting the last few seconds of an activity
  • Drifting between lanes
  • Slow reaction time
  • A sudden and jerking head or body
  • Repeated yawning
  • Difficulty keeping the eyes open

What Causes Microsleep?

Lack of sleep and exhaustion are the main causes of microsleep. The brain will go into short sleep episodes, even if the person is trying to stay awake. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep deficiency can limit functions during work, school, and social events, and the person may feel they will doze off during daily activities.


Microsleep can be caused by:

  • Not sleeping the recommended number of hours
  • Poor sleep quality
  • Long work shifts
  • Night shifts or rotating shifts
  • Driving long distances
  • Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
  • Drowsy medications
  • Alcohol use
  • Repetitive and tedious activities
  • Stress and an irregular sleep schedule

Even if a person thinks they are used to sleeping less, they can still have microsleep episodes. While the body adapts to tiredness, reaction time, focus, and alertness will decline.


Dangers of Microsleep

If microsleep happens in situations where we need to be alert, it can be very dangerous. Multiple seconds of lost awareness may not seem serious. However, in a situation like driving at high speeds, a couple seconds can lead to a crash.


Discouraging statistics make drowsy driving a serious concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in 2017, there were 91,000 drowsy driving crashes in the United States that resulted in 795 deaths and 50,000 injuries. Because drowsy driving can be difficult to measure in crash investigations, NHTSA believes that the statistics are actually higher.


Some activities where microsleep is especially risky include driving a car or a motorcycle, operating equipment in a factory, working at a height, performing a medical or caregiving task, studying long hours, working as a security guard, performing a long distance transport job, and working the night shift. In all of these situations, a microsleep can have serious consequences for other people.


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Microsleep While Driving

Microsleep while driving is one of the most dangerous situations microsleep can occur in. A driver can lose awareness of the road while still keeping their hands on the steering wheel. During this time, they can miss traffic light changes, see pedestrians, or miss changes in traffic around them.


Signs you may fall asleep while driving include:

  • Drifting out of your lane
  • Missing road signs or exits
  • Being unable to recall the last several kilometers driven
  • Hitting the rumble strips along the shoulder
  • Yawning
  • Difficulty keeping your head up
  • Feeling restless or irritable
  • Slow or frequent blinking

When these signs are apparent, rolling the window down or cranking the music up loud doesn't help. The best choice is to stop driving and rest, or go to sleep.


Who is Most Vulnerable to Microsleep?

While anyone can fall asleep while driving, some have a greater risk.


More vulnerable people include

  • Shift Workers
  • Truck, taxi, and delivery drivers
  • Students who study late
  • Long Shift Healthcare Workers
  • New Parents
  • People with Insomnia or Sleep Apnea
  • Sleep Deprived individuals
  • Workers with Sleep Disrupted Work Schedules

Daytime sleepiness, along with poor concentration, memory, mood, and performance, is caused by sleeping less than the recommended 7 or more hours per night.


What Can Be Done About Microsleep?

Microsleep is best avoided by not driving when extremely tired, or attempting to fight fatigue. Some strategies to avoid tiredness are:


  • Getting sufficient sleep
  • Sticking to regular sleep patterns
  • Taking breaks while driving long distances
  • Avoiding the consumption of alcohol and heavy meals close to the time you will be driving
  • Treating sleep disorders
  • Napping when needed
  • Reducing screen time late at night
  • Making sleep areas quiet, dark, and comfortable

Planning sleep breaks is essential for long-distance driving and short naps are much better than driving while sleepy.


When Should You See a Doctor?

Once in a while, post poor sleep, experiencing some sleepiness is normal. But, frequent microsleep is not normal and should be evaluated as it can be chronic lack of sleep or a sleep disorder. You should seek medical assistance if:


  • You have unintended daytime sleep.
  • You feel fatigued after you have slept.
  • You have loud snoring or you stop breathing while you sleep.
  • You wake up choking or gasping.
  • You have frequent sleep episodes while working, studying, or driving.
  • You have Sleepiness that you cannot control.

A doctor will evaluate sleep quality for several reasons, both disorders and lifestyle related.


Final Thoughts

Even though microsleep episodes are probably only a few seconds, the effects can be long lasting. This experience acts as a warning to the individual that the brain and body are in need of rest. This will lead to poor productivity, poor memory as well as the presence of mistakes and accidents. Instead of trying to combat the need for microsleep, the best answer is to take a break and see a doctor if necessary. Sleep is very important for driving and maintaining your health.


Please book an appointment with the best Neurologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.