Physiological Impact of Sleeping Pills on Breathing and Muscle

This report delves into the physiological effects of sleeping pills, particularly their impact on muscle function and respiration. The report discusses how these pills, often prescribed for sleep disorders, can lead to adverse effects. The report examines the mechanism by which sleeping pills work, specifically the impact of an overdose on the body's pH balance, leading to acidosis. This acidic environment denatures the proteins in skeletal muscle, affecting the thick and thin filaments responsible for muscle contraction. The report explains how this process impairs the function of myosin and actin, reducing the force of muscle contraction and ultimately affecting the breathing process. It references relevant studies to support its analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of the physiological consequences of sleeping pill misuse and its impact on breathing difficulties.

Running head: Physiology 1
Physiology
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Physiology 2
Medically sleeping pills are prescribed to those patients having sleeping disorders. They
act on receptors in the brain to induce sleep by regulating the activity of the sleep center of the
nervous system. General, they are classified as sedative-hypnotics. Though sleeping pills have
been confirmed effective when used correctly and short-term, they have side effects when
misused or used for the long term. Overdosing of sleeping pills can be lethal and can result in
death due to dysfunctional breathing. (Verma et al., 2019).
An overdose of sleeping pills causes a reduction in the body cellular pH making it acidic.
Normal functions of cells are interrupted as cells works optimally within a controlled pH.
Acidosis due to sleeping pills overdose has a direct effect on cells and tissue structure including
the thick and thin filaments of skeletal muscle. An acidic pH denatures the protein structure of
cells making up body tissues altering their functional conformity, (Seda et al. 2014).
The thick and thin filaments of skeletal muscle play a role during the breathing process in
individuals. The myosin and actin of the thick and thin filaments make up the functional unit
during muscle contraction of skeletal muscles when breathing. The movement of myosin head
over actin filaments constitute the force of contraction that is necessary during respiration. A
decrease in pH denatures the structure of myosin head and cannot initiate an adequate
contraction force to support breathing due to irregular movements over the actin filaments of the
skeletal muscle. The velocity of myosin head movements over actin filaments is reduced due to
its altered functional structure (rotational ability is reduced due to increased stiffness) and that of
the enzyme ATPase (enzyme which provides ATP energy for contraction). Muscle contraction is
essential during the breathing process, therefore inhibiting this process as a direct effect on
breathing and it is expressed with one having difficulties in breathing as stated in the question,
(Mendelson, 2012).

Physiology 3
References
Mendelson, W. B. (2012). The use and misuse of sleeping pills: A clinical guide. Springer
Science & Business Media.
Seda, G., Tsai, S., & Lee-Chiong, T. (2014). Medication effects on sleep and breathing.
Clinics in Chest Medicine, 35(3), 557-569.
Verma, P. K., G, P., & Hegde, V. (2019). A clinical study to evaluate the management of
Anidra with special reference to insomnia with Pippali moola Churna. Journal of
Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences (JAIMS), 4(04).