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Frequent nightmares are linked to premature aging and Increase the risk of early death, according to a new study.
Adults that reports Weekly nightmares are more than three times likely to die before The age of 70 in relation to those who rarely or never live, revealed researchers.
The study revealed that nightmares were a “stronger predictor of premature death” than smoking, obesity, poor diet and low physical activity.
Scientists warned that conclusions should be dealt with as a “public health problem”, But said people can reduce nightmares by managing stress.
The team, led by Dr. Abidemi Otaiku from British dementia Research Institute and Imperial College of London, analyzed the data of 2,429 children aged eight to 10th and 183,012 adults aged 26 to 86 over a period of 19 years.
Research, presented at the Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) this month, found that nightmares disrupt the quality and duration of sleep, which alters the capacity for catering and cellular repair of the night of the body.
The combined impacts of chronic stress and disturbed sleep are likely to contribute to the accelerated aging of our cells and our bodies.
Dr. Otaiku said: “Our sleeping brain cannot distinguish dreams from reality. This is why nightmares often wake us up with perspiration, the flexible breath, and with our hearts that beat – because our fighting or flight response has been triggered. This stress reaction can be even more intense than anything we are going through.”
He said: “The nightmares lead to prolonged elevations of cortisol, a stress hormone closely linked to faster cell aging. For those who frequently experience nightmares, this cumulative stress can have a significant impact on the aging process.”
He added: “Given the current and modifiable nightmares, they should be taken much more seriously as a public health problem.”
Researchers found that children and adults who had frequent nightmares also had faster aging. This represented around 40% of those who had a higher risk of early death.
Dr. Otaiku said it was the first study to show that nightmares can predict faster organic aging and previous mortality, even after taking into account other health problems.
Even monthly nightmares were linked to faster aging and increased mortality from those who did not have nightmares. And links were consistent in all ages, sexes, ethnic groups and mental health statutes.
“The good news is that nightmares can be avoided and treated,” said Dr. Otaiku.
Simple measures, such as maintaining good sleep hygiene, stress management, looking for anxiety treatment or depression and not watching scary films can be effective in reducing nightmares, he said.
