Micro Sleep Kills In Seconds

AFTER EFFECT

Split Second Adrenaline

Ever heard the term micro sleep or ‘micro sleep’? Basically, micro sleep is a situation where the brain is forced to sleep because it is too tired and sleepy, while the rest of the body is still working. It sounds harmless, but what if it happens while driving?

Tuanku Mukriz Chancellor’s Hospital Consultant Psychiatrist, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Medical Center, Associate Prof Dr Azlin Baharudin said, the symptoms usually occur between one second and two minutes, but usually occur within 10 seconds. Imagine a vehicle allowed to speed without control for 10 seconds? More than enough to invite accidents. That is why, 8 percent of all fatal accidents in Malaysia are caused by micro-sleeping!

Duration Micro Sleep

Usually occur between one second and two minutes, but usually occur within 10 seconds.

Micro Sleep Occur

When driving to a distant destination for a long period of time

numbers

Risk of blind spot

0 %

Fatal accidents are caused by micro-sleeping!

0 minutes

Take a 'power nap'

Preventive Measures

This micro-sleep is usually caused by long and boring activities, for example when driving to a distant destination for a long period of time. People who work shifts or in an irregular work system are also more at risk of facing this situation. More dangerously, micro-sleep can occur with the eyes open. So, it is difficult for people around to realize that the driver is sleeping, until it is too late.

How To Stop Micro-sleep

Director of the Sleep Research Center of Loughborough University United Kingdom (UK), Prof Jim Horne suggests, as soon as you realize that you are sleepy, immediately stop in a safe place and take a drink containing about 150 milligrams of caffeine. After that, sleep for at least 15 minutes, and freshen up for 5 minutes before continuing the journey.

For the long term, change your lifestyle to achieve quality sleep, which is for 7 to 9 hours. Turn off electrical appliances such as lights, televisions and radios when sleeping, and keep the room temperature at a comfortable level. If you are too sleepy during the day, take a ‘power nap’ (short nap) for 20 minutes. And if you suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia, ‘sleep apnea’ and so on, seek the advice of an ENT specialist or psychologist immediately.