What is a nightmare?
Apr 19, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Nightmares are a manifestation of sleep disorders. In daily life, if nightmares occur frequently, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to prevent the condition from worsening due to delayed treatment. It is recommended to maintain a light diet, avoid excessive use of electronic devices before bedtime, consume foods such as milk and honey in moderation, and create a comfortable sleep environment, all of which can help alleviate symptoms.
Nightmare disorder is a type of sleep disturbance. In daily life, frequent nightmares should prompt timely medical consultation to prevent worsening of the condition due to delayed treatment. The details are as follows:
Nightmare disorder is a sleep disorder characterized by repeatedly experiencing extremely distressing dreams during sleep—such as those involving anxiety, fear, or anger—that cause the individual to awaken abruptly from sleep. Upon waking, the person is fully alert and able to recall the dream content in detail. These episodes are typically accompanied by intense negative emotions, making it difficult for patients to fall back asleep due to fear of experiencing similar dreams again. Nightmares may be associated with factors such as excessive psychological stress, emotional trauma, or irregular sleep schedules. Treatment generally follows medical guidance and may include medications such as alprazolam tablets, clonazepam tablets, or paroxetine hydrochloride tablets. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion can serve as adjunctive treatments by stimulating meridians and acupoints to unblock energy pathways.
In daily life, it is recommended to maintain a light diet, avoid excessive use of electronic devices before bedtime, consume moderate amounts of milk, honey, and similar foods, and create a comfortable sleeping environment, all of which can help alleviate symptoms.
