Nightmares could be a symptom of serious illnesses like Parkinson's or heart problems

Did you know that experiencing nightmares could be an indicator of underlying health issues? Around one in 10 people are regularly afflicted by bad dreams, which can stem from various causes, including overheating or watching frightening films.

For instance, a UK lupus patient described her night terrors linked to the autoimmune disease with vivid accounts of "Horrific... murders... skin coming off people..." Lupus, impacting some 50,000 Britons, makes the immune system turn against itself, leading to joint pain, skin rashes and fatigue.

However, research from the University of Cambridge and King's College London found that being afflicted by nightmares, often related to themes of attack, entrapment, or being crushed, could signal a flare-up. Alarmingly, these troubling dreams may begin before a lupus diagnosis and persist, with three out of five patients experiencing them consistently throughout their illness.

If you notice such symptoms, it's crucial to consult your GP who can perform blood tests for lupus and recommend appropriate treatments. Furthermore, sleep apnoea—a condition encountered by one in eight individuals, where breathing momentarily stops during sleep due to obstructed airways—has been connected not only to severe health conditions like depression, heart ailments, and increased stroke risk but also to triggering nightmares.

Researchers at Swansea University have uncovered that individuals with severe symptoms of sleep apnoea often experience "emotionally negative and unpleasant" nightmares. Fortunately, treatment with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mask, which supplies a steady flow of air during sleep, has been highly effective - with nine out of ten users reporting an end to their nightmares, reports the Express.

If you're making noises while asleep and feeling exceedingly tired during the day, this could be indicative of sleep apnoea. It's advisable to consult your GP for a proper diagnosis. Certain lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, may also be beneficial.

The connection between migraines and bad dreams is quite notable, as some migraine sufferers report having harrowing dreams involving misfortune. These intense headaches can induce throbbing pain on one side of the head and come with dizziness and sometimes a visual aura, lasting from hours up to several days.

This interesting link was reported in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. In case regular migraine symptoms occur, it's essential to see your GP. They can offer appropriate painkillers and other treatments to manage the condition.

A study published in the Netherlands Journal of Medicine has also identified an association between nightmares and arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat with symptoms that can range from palpitations to breathlessness. Although not all arrhythmias are severe, the study indicates that individuals who frequently experience bad dreams might be three times more likely to develop an irregular heartbeat and potentially suffer from chest pains.

Experts believe that nightmares might be linked to breathing issues that reduce oxygen in the brain. They advise seeing your GP for tests and specialist referrals if experiencing irregular heartbeats, and to call 999 during a heart attack.

As for Parkinson's disease, sufferers are four times more likely to have frequent nightmares, often involving being chased or attacked. This results in physical reactions during sleep. In the UK, 150,000 individuals live with the condition which damages the portion of the brain controlling movement and presents symptoms like stiffness, slowness and tremors.

A University of Birmingham study indicated that having "distressing dreams" weekly could predict future Parkinson's diagnoses. If symptoms appear, which can occur as early as in your 40s, consult a doctor. While there's no cure for Parkinson's yet, treatments are available to manage its progression post-diagnosis.