Can Sleep Apnea Cause Nightmares?

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Nightmares? (Answered!)

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Sleep apnea is not commonly associated with nightmares, but there are certainly connections between the two. The lack of oxygen in the brain, and the interruptions to restful sleep that this causes, can cause vivid dreams and nightmares. But there is not really a direct relationship.

 

So, yes, if indirectly, sleep apnea has the chance to cause nightmares.

It can be a potentially very serious sleep disorder, and more or less any disorder which affects your ability to get a good night’s rest stands a chance of causing bad dreams and nightmares.

But you’re not without any options, and there are ways you can combat this.

Let’s look into it.

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Nightmares?

Does sleep apnea give you nightmares?

It can give you nightmares, yes.

It isn’t guaranteed to, and it’s important to be clear that dreaming is not recognized as a direct symptom of sleep apnea.

Indeed, most clinical studies actually show there is very little correlation.

Sleep apnea-related nightmares are, by and large, uncommon.

So, it’s always worth considering whether there may be something else affecting your dreaming and sleep schedule which could cause the dreams.

That said, there are a lot of things about the condition which could lead indirectly to nightmares.

It’s worth noting that sleep apnea is a rather wide spectrum of a condition—some have it much more severely than others.

It is, naturally, much more likely for those with a more severe condition.

Let’s look into exactly why sleep apnea can cause nightmares.

 

Why does sleep apnea give you nightmares?

There are two essential and most probable reasons why sleep apnea can cause nightmares.

The first is a more direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Because sleep apnea is something that affects how you breathe at night, what can often happen is that oxygen to the brain gets cut off.

With a lack of oxygen, the brain can start being active in very strange ways while you sleep.

This can mean nightmares simply because your brain is overly active.

These kinds of sleep apnea nightmares are far less common, though.

As I said, clinically speaking, it’s really rare for this to lead directly to nightmares.

There’s more often another factor at play.

The other, main way that sleep apnea is more likely to cause dreaming is simply in the fact that it interrupts natural sleep cycles.

We go through cycles of sleep each night, and the deepest of those cycles is REM sleep—rapid eye movement.

REM is where most dreaming occurs, and often, we don’t remember most of our dreams since we were in such a deep sleep.

Sleep apnea can disrupt the deepness of our sleep, which means we are more aware of our dreams.

Retaining memory of our dreams can make them feel more vivid and nightmarish.

Sleep apnea and the associated stress can really get in the way of a good night’s sleep.

Any cause of stress or restlessness can lead to bad dreams.

Let’s look at how you can combat these nightmares.

 

How to stop sleep apnea nightmares

First thing I want to say is that sleep apnea can be a very serious condition, and you should always consult a doctor about it if you think you have it.

In the worst cases, undiagnosed sleep apnea can be fatal—so it’s vital you speak to a doctor.

That said, many basic relaxation techniques will give you a fighting chance against the nightmares.

Meditation, yoga, and aromatherapy are some really simple methods you can use to help yourself sleep more soundly at night.

The single best thing you can do, though, is to stick to a strict routine with sleeping.

If you go to bed and wakeup at the same time each day, your body will fall into a natural rhythm where it is far less likely to be restless and active at night.

 

Does sleep apnea cause night terrors?

Night terrors are a rather different thing, and as a direct result of sleep apnea, almost unheard of.

In adults, night terrors are extremely rare.

If you aren’t already predisposed to night terrors, then sleep apnea will not bring them on.

On the other hand, for children, especially those who already have them, sleep apnea could increase the instances of night terrors.

Again, it’s really vital that you see a professional about you or your child if you suspect they’re suffering from sleep apnea.

The only thing worse than a nightmare is a night terror, so don’t take any chances.

 

Sleep apnea is unpleasant and potentially harmful regardless of whether it causes nightmares, then.

But there is certainly a relationship, if indirect.

While I can offer some advice on how to get a better night’s sleep while suffering with sleep apnea, the best person to speak to is always your doctor.

Sleep apnea can be really dangerous if left untreated and unobserved, so don’t let that happen.

Be sure to speak to your doctor if you are at all concerned.

 

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