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Illness Might Cause Dreams Turning into Nightmares

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and King's College London have found that nightmares and hallucinations could be a sign of autoimmune diseases. They conducted a study to understand the connection between such symptoms and serious health conditions.

SymClub
May 24, 2024
1 min read
NewsAdvisorDreamsNightmareSleepAutoimmune diseases
What happens during sleep can be an indication of physical illnesses
What happens during sleep can be an indication of physical illnesses

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British scientists uncover - Illness Might Cause Dreams Turning into Nightmares

For individuals with a particular kind of lupus, known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), this autoimmune condition results in the immune system targeting and damaging the body's healthy cells, sparking an inflammatory response. Unfortunately, there's no cure for SLE, and it can cause harm to organs.

A study involving 676 lupus patients and 400 doctors revealed that over half of the patients experienced disrupted dream sleep, with a third reporting this issue emerged more than a year prior to the onset of their disease. Neatly a quarter of the patients underwent hallucinations, but in 85% of these cases, the hallucinations appeared either during the initial stages of the disease or later. When patients discussed their symptoms, they found it less intimidating to use the term "daydreams" instead of hallucinations.

Researchers determined that roughly three-fifths of lupus patients and one-third of individuals with other rheumatological disorders reported disturbingly intense nightmares in the lead-up to their daydream experiences.

The medical professionals surveyed had not previously inquired about these symptoms, but in the future, doing so may indicate imminent relapses and facilitate earlier diagnoses and shorter treatment durations.

Dr. Melanie Sloan, the lead author of this study, stresses the importance of doctors discussing these types of symptoms with their patients and taking the time to document each patient's unique symptom progression.

Some of the interviewees initially received incorrect diagnoses or were even hospitalized for suspected psychosis or suicidal ideation. Only later did it become evident that these symptoms were preliminary warnings of their autoimmune disease.

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Source: symclub.org

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