Abstract
Adolescence is a critical development period related to multiple changes in physiological and psychological functions. Sleep is an important one of those functions. At this stage childhood sleep pattern changes to adult sleep pattern. Sleep is a complex phenomenon resulting from the interaction between the function of the neuroendocrine system, biological clocks and biochemical processes and environmental, social and cultural elements that are of special significance at this stage of life. The homeostasis of these systems ensures the adolescent growth and development within the expected physiological parameters for this stage. The restorative function of sleep and the consequences of its alteration on cognition, daytime performance and health in general, must be studied. At this stage of life it is necessary to make detection of sleep problems or disorders, to explore the possible causes. Early therapeutic intervention is needed in order to avoid the consequences of poor sleep quality. This article summarizes the results found in the current scientific literature on sleep characteristics in adolescence and their common problems.
| Translated title of the contribution | Sueño: Características generales. Patrones fisiológicos y fisiopatológicos en la adolescencia |
|---|---|
| Original language | English (US) |
| Pages (from-to) | 333-348 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Revista ciencias de la salud |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 2013 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Health(social science)
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
