Having a nightmare is normal and usually not a cause of concern. From stress to anxiety to sleep disorders, several factors can contribute to it, but most of the time, they resolve on their own or with proper therapies and lifestyle changes. But what should you make of frequent or recurring nightmares? Could it stem from an underlying medical condition? Or to be more specific, can they be a sign of autoimmune diseases? To find answers to the same, the OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Chethana D, Consultant Rheumatologist, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, who shared several useful insights.
Also Read: The Cardiac Impact Of Autoimmune Diseases: What Lupus, RA, And Psoriasis Can Do To The Heart
What Is An Autoimmune Disease?
An autoimmune disease is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs, causing inflammation and damage. Generally, an immune system is supposed to protect the body from harmful foreign pathogens like bacteria and viruses, but in autoimmune diseases, it mistakes the body's own cells as an external enemy. This causes an immune response that attacks its own healthy tissues, leading to complications.
Common Symptoms Of Autoimmune Diseases
Surprisingly, there are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, with some of the most common including Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Depending on the type of autoimmune disease you have, symptoms can develop accordingly. Common issues to note include:
- Fatigue
- Recurring fever
- Joint pain and swelling
- Skin problems like rashes and redness
- Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and other digestive issues
- Swollen glands
- Unexplained weight changes
- Numbness, tingling, and weakness
- Dryness
- Hair loss
Can Nightmares Be A Sign Of Autoimmune Disease?
In addition to the physical symptoms listed above, there are some unusual signs that must not be ignored.
According to Chethana, conditions like lupus, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can affect the brain, nerves, or hormones.
"People with these conditions often report more vivid dreams or nightmares," Dr Chethana specified, adding that inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases may affect brain chemicals that control sleep and emotions.
Moreover, medications used to treat these disorders, like steroids, can also cause sleep problems and disturbing dreams. "While there is no strong proof that autoimmune diseases directly cause nightmares, many patients do experience sleep disturbances," Dr Chethana further shared, adding that more research is needed to fully understand the connection.
Also Read: From Numbness To Brain Fog: Expert Lists Early Signs Of Multiple Sclerosis You Should Watch Out For
Autoimmune Diseases Linked To Nightmares
According to Dr Chethana, several autoimmune diseases are linked to disturbed sleep. “Lupus is one of the most common, and many people with it report insomnia, fatigue, and vivid dreams,” she noted.
A 2022 study in the journal Rheumatology suggested that nightmares or 'daymares' could be a simpler way to detect lupus instead of concerning symptoms like hallucinations. The researchers believe that bad dreams, or nightmares, might be a direct sign of lupus-related inflammation in the brain. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation and potential damage to various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs.
Other autoimmune diseases that may cause frequent nightmares include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) also affects sleep due to joint pain and stiffness, especially at night.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can disturb sleep because it affects the brain and nerves, leading to muscle spasms, pain, or restless legs.
- Fibromyalgia, although not always classified as a classic autoimmune disease, often overlaps with autoimmune symptoms and causes poor sleep and unrefreshing rest.
- Sjögren’s syndrome can lead to dryness in the eyes and mouth, making it hard to sleep comfortably.
- Thyroid-related autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can also affect sleep by causing tiredness, anxiety, or changes in body temperature.
In many cases, both the disease and the medicines used to treat it play a role in sleep problems. Managing symptoms and improving sleep habits can help people feel more rested.
When Should You Consult A Doctor For Frequent Nightmares?
While having nightmares is normal, there are certain instances when you should report them to a doctor. Here’s when it is a cause for concern:
- Frequent nightmares that start to affect daily life
- If a person has trouble sleeping often, wakes up scared or upset, or feels tired all day because of bad dreams
- Nightmares that happen many times a week or cause fear of going to sleep
- Nightmares that come with other symptoms like mood changes, memory problems, or signs of stress or trauma
- Nightmares accompanied with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
“If nightmares start suddenly in adults or get worse over time, it’s important to find the cause. Talking to a doctor can help rule out serious conditions and improve sleep quality,” Dr Chethana concluded.