Bad dreams occur during fever: It is not easy for a human being to get sick. It can have many flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose, constant sneezing, body aches and high fever. All of these symptoms can complicate daily activities. The trouble doesn’t end there; Sometimes, when we sleep to rest, we face another challenge. When we try to sleep or sleep, we suddenly experience various dreams. These are commonly called fever dreams. These dreams are often quite realistic, emotional and sometimes frightening, leaving us feeling uneasy or confused upon waking. But the question is, why do dreams become so different during illness? Let’s answer this question.
What are fever dreams?
The answer to why dreams become so different during illness lies in the changes that occur within our bodies. Fever raises body temperature and alters brain activity. So dreams become more strange than usual during sleep. Fever dreams occur when the body temperature rises above normal. Dreams are usually most vivid during REM sleep, or the Rapid Movement Stage. According to one study, 94 percent of people described their fever dreams as negative and disturbing. This means that the brain processes emotions and memories differently during a high fever, making dreams more strange, frightening or emotional.
Why are these dreams so strange?
When you have a fever, it becomes difficult to regulate your body temperature. This condition is often explained by the “overheated brain theory”. When the brain overheats, its ability to think and process is affected. It affects sleep, and dreams become strange and emotionally intense. During REM sleep, your body temperature is already imbalanced, and a fever exacerbates this imbalance. As a result, dreams can be very strange and frightening. Some people experience moving walls, giant worms, spreading darkness, or strange creatures. All these are considered to be common symptoms of fever dreams.
How to deal?
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It’s not always possible to completely prevent fever dreams, but you can reduce them with a few simple steps.
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Drink plenty of water and eat delicious food.
Keep your sleeping environment comfortable and maintain a balanced room temperature. -
Take fever-reducing medications as directed by your doctor.
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Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation or light stretching before bed.