Nightmares may be early warning signs of chronic diseases
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According to a recent study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, nightmares could be a sign of a newly developing autoimmune disorder such as Lupus, which is known to affect the brain, or an upcoming flare of existing chronic illnesses. This link highlights the potential of nightmares serving as a predictive symptom, urging healthcare professionals to pay closer attention to sleep quality and dream content as they may provide crucial insights into underlying health issues. This finding could lead to earlier diagnosis and management of chronic illnesses, improving long-term health outcomes.
Source
Sloan, M., Bourgeois, J. A., Leschziner, G., Pollak, T. A., Pitkanen, M., Harwood, R., Bosley, M., Bortoluzzi, A., Andreoli, L., Diment, W., Brimicombe, J., Ubhi, M., Barrere, C., Naughton, F., Gordon, C., & D’Cruz, D. (2024). Neuropsychiatric prodromes and symptom timings in relation to disease onset and/or flares in SLE: results from the mixed methods international INSPIRE study. eClinicalMedicine, [102634]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102634