Is there such thing as a magic pill?
If you have ever had a fever, you might have noticed that at the height of it your dreams were more vivid, scary, or repetitive than usual. This is very common: fever dreams are a recognized phenomenon in medicine, and many people experience them when they have a high temperature.
As a general rule, fever dreams are nothing to worry about and usually pass in a day or two. It is important to recognize when they might be a problem, however. Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.
One fever symptom that tends to receive less attention, however, is cognitive and mood changes. In particular, having a fever can strongly impact your sleep.
Although the research on the specific characteristics of fever dreams is limited, the existing studies are interesting. They suggest fever dreams are very real and quite common.
In general, the dreams were stranger and more negative than normal dreams, and certain themes were repeated, such as health and temperature.
The 2020 confirmed the findings of a previous study conducted in 2016, which looked at the reported contents of 62 participants’ fever dreams.
Common fever dream attributes include spatial distortions, such as moving walls or animals with oversized legs and arms and threatening images, such as scary dogs or insects.
The favorite explanation for why having a high temperature causes fever dreams is that the brain doesn’t cope well when it’s too hot.
When you have a fever and your core body temperature rises, your brain overheats. This causes it to function worse than usual, and your dreams become stranger as a result.
Interestingly, the same thing happens in the context of an allergic reaction, which can also cause the body to overheat.
Having a high temperature also might mean that your body is less able to regulate its sleep and also less able to control the four stages of sleep.
Finally, there are certain psychological conditions, such as depression or sleep disorders, that can make people more prone to fever dreams.
There are also certain medications that can trigger strange dreams, some of which, ironically, are prescribed for sleep disorders.
However, there is often a common thread. For example, a scary figure or frightening experience may well represent the fever itself.
For the most part, fever dreams are nothing to worry about. At most they are a minor annoyance and they tend to go away after a day or two.
However, if you are experiencing fever dreams and there is no obvious fever or medication that could be causing them, it may be time to see a doctor.
If your fever dreams are affecting you emotionally, you may also seek the help of a mental health professional, perhaps one who specializes in psychoanalysis.
Finally, although a fever does not usually require medical attention, it is important to recognize their warning signs.
Do not wait to seek medical attention if you experience sever symptoms, such as a noticeable change is cognitive abilities, a racing heartbeat, or trouble breathing.
Sources: (Verywell Mind)
See also: The most common dreams by country (and what they mean)
Your fever dreams could be caused by an underlying health condition, so it is worth going to a healthcare professional for advice.
The science behind fever dreams, and how to cope
Dealing with unusually scary and repetitive dreams
HEALTH Sleep
If you have ever had a fever, you might have noticed that at the height of it your dreams were more vivid, scary, or repetitive than usual. This is very common: fever dreams are a recognized phenomenon in medicine, and many people experience them when they have a high temperature.
As a general rule, fever dreams are nothing to worry about and usually pass in a day or two. It is important to recognize when they might be a problem, however. Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.