294. Nightmares during middle age linked to risk of dementia
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
We usually think nightmares are problems that interrupt the sleep of children. But half to 85 percent of adults have nightmares too. About 1 in 20 adults report experiencing them every week. In a new study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, U.K. researchers observed that adults between 35 and 64 years old who experienced distressing dreams were four times more likely to experience cognitive decline. Men with nightmares and distressing dreams were found to have a higher risk of later cognitive decline and dementia than women. While the study doesn’t show exactly why nightmares can so negatively impact the brain, the findings make sense because these dreams affect sleep and rest, both of which have been shown to affect cognitive decline and dementia.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
