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Nightmares & Migraines

Migraine headaches can be debilitating. Common symptoms include the piercing pain in one side of the head, "aura" effects consisting of geometric lights and patterns and sensitivity to light, touch and sound. Like insult on top of injury, migraines can also bring on nightmares and disturbing dreams. Often, this effect is due to anxiety and other corresponding symptoms of migraines, but some common migraine medications can also increase the chance of bad dreams as well.

  1. Dream Symptoms of Auras

    • Migraine auras in dreams can serve as a timely pain warning.

      Auras and light hallucination effects can warn migraine sufferers of a coming headache, giving sufferers less than an hour to get to a safe place or take migraine medications. These aura warnings can also come through dreams as well, according to a 2000 study published in the German medical journal "Fortschritte der Neurologie Psychiatrie." German scholars report that nightmares occur with aura hallucinations, leading to awakening. This nightmare warning can be a good indicator for sufferers to take medication or otherwise prepare for the powerful headache.

    Role of Sleep Disturbances

    • Migraine sufferers are three times as likely as non-migraine sufferers to also have sleep difficulties, such as multiple awakenings. These sleep disturbances may trigger nightmares and associated migraines, according to a 2008 study published in the journal "Headache." Also, not getting enough sleep may instigate nightmares and middle-of-the-night migraines.

    Role of Sleep Hygiene

    • The connection between sleep difficulties and migraines has led some researchers toward a theory that migraines can be reduced if sleep health is improved. Also called "sleep hygiene," sleep health consists of daily self-help practices that make getting enough sleep a priority. A 1999 study in the journal "Cephalalgia" reports that, indeed, children who improved their sleep habits experienced fewer migraines as well as less-painful migraines.

    How to Improve Sleep Hygiene

    • Some good sleep habits include going to bed and waking up at the same time every night, not imbibing in caffeine or alcohol in the second part of the day and taking some time to unwind and relax before going to bed. Try getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, although the amount of sleep needed is different for everyone. Finally, do not watch violent imagery or movies before bed as they can also increase the chance of nightmares.

    Nightmare-Causing Medications

    • Sadly enough, some migraine medications can also increase bad dreams and nightmares. The beta blockers, such as propranolol and timolol, are known to amplify the vivid imagery of dreams, including terrifying imagery, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Ask your medical provider for alternatives to beta blockers if you notice an increase in vivid and scary dreams.

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