Horrific Nightmares May Signal Onset of Chronic Diseases

10 July 2024 By Johnber  

NewsTogether

Nightmares can be more than just scary dreams. They might signal the beginning of chronic diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, according to a recent study in the journal eClinicalMedicine.

 People experiencing these nightmares often describe them as intense and terrifying. One Canadian patient reported a recurring dream about a serial killer. An English patient described dreams where they couldn’t breathe, and an Irish patient spoke of violent dreams with gruesome imagery, especially during times of high stress.

 These nightmares, along with "daymares" (hallucinations while awake), could indicate the onset or worsening of autoimmune diseases. Melanie Sloan, the study's lead author and a researcher at the University of Cambridge, emphasized that such symptoms might be warning signs needing medical attention.

 Autoimmune diseases like lupus cause the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissues. This can lead to inflammation and pain in various parts of the body, including the brain, heart, joints, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Sloan noted that neuropsychiatric symptoms, like nightmares, significantly impact patients' lives, affecting their ability to work, socialize, and maintain a normal life.

 Jennifer Mundt, a sleep medicine expert from Northwestern University, praised the study for focusing on nightmares, which are often overlooked except in the context of PTSD. She highlighted that a recent study found 18% of people with long-COVID experience frequent nightmares, compared to 5% in the general population.

 The new study surveyed 400 doctors and 676 lupus patients, with detailed interviews from 50 clinicians and 69 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It found that 3 in 5 lupus patients and 1 in 3 patients with other related diseases had vivid and distressing nightmares. These nightmares often involved falling, being attacked, or committing violent acts.

 One patient shared a nightmare about riding a horse and attacking people with a sword, despite being a non-violent person in reality. They speculated that these dreams might reflect their body fighting the autoimmune disease.

 Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial. Sloan explained that these unique warning signs could help detect disease flares earlier, allowing for prompt treatment and potentially preventing severe complications. However, these symptoms are not currently included in the diagnostic criteria for lupus or other autoimmune diseases, and doctors often don’t ask about them.

 David D’Cruz, a senior study author and consultant rheumatologist, stressed the importance of doctors asking about nightmares and other neuropsychiatric symptoms. He suggested that such symptoms could help detect disease flares even in patients without brain involvement.

 Sleep disorder specialist Dr. Carlos Schenck warned that while this study is important, it shouldn’t cause unnecessary alarm. Occasional nightmares or daymares are normal and not necessarily signs of an autoimmune disease. However, if these symptoms are severe and occur alongside other signs like extreme fatigue or headaches, they should be discussed with a doctor.

 Sloan encouraged people not to feel embarrassed about discussing these symptoms with their doctors. Early reporting might help doctors diagnose autoimmune diseases by connecting seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Keywords

1. nightmare: a frightening or unpleasant dream.
   

2. autoimmune disease: a condition in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.
   

3. hallucination: seeing or hearing things that are not present.
   

4. inflammation: swelling and pain in the body's tissues.
   

5. neuropsychiatric: related to both the nervous system and mental health.
   

6. fatigue: extreme tiredness.
   

7. diagnostic criteria: guidelines used by doctors to diagnose diseases.
   

8. distressing: causing anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
   

9. symptom: a physical or mental feature indicating a condition of disease.
   

10. vivid: producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind.
    

11. flare: a sudden worsening of a disease.
    

12. rheumatologist: a doctor specializing in the treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones.
    

13. recurring: occurring again periodically or repeatedly.
    

14. immune system: the body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders.
    

15. treatment: medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury.
    

16. survey: a general view, examination, or description of someone or something.
    

17. prompt: done without delay; immediate.
    

18. severe: very great; intense.
    

19. diagnosis: the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem.
    

20. emphasize: give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.
    

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