Here’s How Nightmares and Dementia May Be Linked

Dreams are normal events for everyone, and most people report dreaming. occasional nightmares. However, the frequency of your nightmares and how old you are when you have them can provide information about your risk of dementia.

Research shows that having frequent sad dreams and nightmares — meaning particularly frightening dreams that keep you waking up — may be linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

2023 analysis In the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that sleep disorders should be considered when evaluating someone at risk for dementia. Previous research has revealed a possible connection Between distressing dreams and higher risk of dementia in people with Parkinson’s disease. And a study conducted in 2022 It was published Research in the Lancet journal eClinicalMedicine found that some associations may also exist in the general population.

Dr., a clinical research fellow at Imperial College London. The 2022 study, authored by Abidemi Otaiku, evaluated 605 middle-aged adults at a cognitively normal baseline for a maximum of 13 years. The researchers also studied 2,600 older adults with an average age of 83 without dementia for a maximum of seven years.

The data suggested that the group of middle-aged adults who reported having more frequent nightmares, classified as once a week or more, was associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline. Similarly, for older adults, the study found that having more nightmares was linked to higher risks. “all-cause dementia” This means that the syndrome can be caused by a number of different diseases.

Middle-aged adults who reported having nightmares weekly had a 4 times greater risk of experiencing cognitive decline compared to those who reported no nightmares. Older adults who frequently had disturbing dreams had nearly twice the risk of dementia.

The cognitive functions of middle-aged participants were determined using five cognitive tests. Elderly participants were evaluated by a physician for dementia.

However, the study had some limitations, such as a lack of racial diversity among the mostly white participants and a possible underestimation of the associations between nightmares and dementia among female participants. The associations in the findings between disturbing dreams and risks of cognitive decline and dementia were significant only among the men evaluated, not among women.

Additionally, the lack of a clear distinction between “bad dreams” and “nightmares” in the survey given to participants may have affected the responses. “Bad dreams” do not cause you to wake up, whereas nightmares can shake you out of your sleep.

In an article published In The Conversation, Otaiku wrote that the study’s results could lead to two theories: first, that frequent nightmares may be one of the earliest signs of dementia, especially in men; and second, that regular nightmares may be a cause of dementia.

“Given the nature of this study, it is not possible to be sure which of these theories is correct (though I suspect it is the first),” Otaiku wrote. He added that the research could still provide new opportunities for earlier diagnosis and “possibly earlier interventions.”

more than that 55 million people There is dementia all over the world. With so much going on conversations about sleep health And dementia diagnosesIt’s important to stay up to date on new information about early detection and things you can do to reduce your risk.

Research showed that regular exercise and physical activity, staying socialAnd avoiding smoking are among the ways to reduce your risk of dementia.

Dr. Zaldy Tan, director Memory and Healthy Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai, formerly he told HuffPost An important tip to improve brain health is to avoid social isolation.

“As social beings, the human brain thrives by interacting with others… Without this, our memory and cognition may weaken over time,” Tan said. “It is important to interact and stay connected with others.”

adequate sleep it is also key to reducing your risk. However, if you are someone who has nightmares or bad dreams, this can be difficult.

If you notice that you frequently have disturbing dreams or nightmares, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. There are no tests performed routinely make a diagnosis nightmare disorderThis is an example of recurring frightening dreams that cause significant distress. However, your doctor may investigate whether other conditions or factors contribute to nightmares.

Accordingly Through the Sleep Foundation, people can also seek out various types of therapeutic treatments, such as psychotherapy, that may address nightmares.