What is the relationship between Corona and nightmares?
What are its causes in general and how to deal with it?
And what is the maximum period for using the N95 mask to protect against corona?
How many days may symptoms of COVID-19 last in children?
The answers and more are in this comprehensive report.
From Delta to Omicron .. What is the relationship between Corona, nightmares and sleep?
We start with a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, which examined how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the content of nightmares.
The researchers said that nightmares are often associated with mental disorders and acute stress.
The study included 419 adults in the United States.
The researchers found that those who reported greater general stress related to COVID-19 were more likely to have nightmares about things like failure, helplessness, anxiety, war, separation, illness, death, COVID-19, and the end of the world.
The researchers also noted associations between nightmare subjects, poor sleep, and worsening of midnight insomnia.
These findings suggest that increased stress associated with the pandemic may lead to negative dreams in certain subjects, the researchers said.
A report published by the Yale University School of Medicine website in the United States had said that "people report strange dreams...and many of them are having disturbing nightmares related to Covid-19."
horrific nightmares
In a report published by the Spanish newspaper "eldiario", writer Marta Chavarrias says that seeing someone chasing us, wanting to run without being able to do so, or falling from a mountainside or cliff, is one of the most common types of nightmares.
Who among us does not see terrifying nightmares that cause anxiety and fear and wake him up in a state of panic in the middle of the night?!
How do nightmares happen?
Nightmares primarily occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep, in which the brain enters the second half of the night and dreams are most intense.
During this stage of sleep, the eyes move rapidly, the heartbeat is irregular, and the breathing rate increases.
Most people have nightmares in which they see a threat or dangerous situation that they are unable to control.
Almost all nightmares share the same characteristics;
The dream appears real and disturbing, awakens the owner from sleep, and causes a feeling of fear, anxiety or sadness.
During nightmares, the person often sweats and his heart beats faster when the dream is remembered in detail.
A study that analyzed more than 250 sleep cycles described as "nightmares" revealed that the most common components were physical aggression, strange and emotionally intense situations, and feelings of helplessness or failure.
The Five Possible Causes of Having Nightmares
Nightmares aren't just about watching horror movies.
Although the exact reasons for seeing nightmares are unknown and there is no agreed explanation for why they occur, there are factors that can increase the likelihood of seeing them, most notably:
Fever and respiratory diseases, and here we must remember that Covid-19 affects the respiratory system, and that it may cause fever in many cases.
Stress and anxiety: Nightmares are more common during periods of stress, such as facing stress at work or losing a family member.
The content of dreams often reflects the stress we experience during the day.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is another common cause of recurrent nightmares.
Use of certain medications: Several studies have examined the relationship between medications and nightmares, one of which was published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology and highlighted the main medications that cause this disorder, such as some antidepressants, blood pressure medications, beta blockers, and medications used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Lack of sleep: After a period of depriving yourself of sleep, you may suffer from rapid eye movement disorder, which leads to seeing nightmares.
It is estimated that about 17% of people who suffer from chronic insomnia also suffer from nightmares.
Mental health disorders: If you suffer from depression or other mental disorders such as borderline personality disorder, it is likely that you also suffer from nightmares.
The writer pointed out that seeing the same nightmare repeatedly for a period of time is also common after experiencing severe stress or a traumatic event.
In this case, nightmares are the brain's way of "recalling" the details of the traumatic event.
Knowing the causes of nightmares will reduce their occurrence and allow us to enjoy a good night's sleep.
What can we do to reduce nightmares?
It's normal to have nightmares from time to time, and nightmares are episodic.
Nightmares are common in children in between 60% and 75% of cases, and their frequency increases during adolescence and decreases in adulthood, especially in women.
It is estimated that nightmares affect about 3% of adults.
Here are some strategies to help reduce nightmares:
Respect the sleep schedule, get enough rest, go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Quit Smoking.
Make sure to relax before bed.
Avoid watching scary movies, video games, or TV shows, especially before bed.
What is the maximum length of time to use the N95 mask to protect against corona?
An American expert revealed that the maximum period for using the “N95” mask to protect against the Corona virus in general is two or three days, according to what Anatolia reported from the Associated Press.
"The amount of time the mask is worn is more important than how many times it was worn," said Richard Flagan, a specialist in respirators and aerosols (particulate matter suspended in the air) at the California Institute of Technology.
He added, "In general, it is recommended to wear the N95 mask for two or three days only."
“With every breath you take while wearing the N95 mask, particles (in the air) accumulate on it;
Which could make it more difficult to breathe.
He pointed out that if "a lot of particles accumulated on the mask, this would reduce its effectiveness (to prevent the virus)."
The rubber band on the mask can also be eroded and does not fit comfortably on the face, and the mask may also become dirty or wet, especially if it is used during exercise, according to the Associated Press.
And if you notice any of these changes on the muzzle, you must stop using it, even if it has only been used for a few hours, according to the agency.
Since the N95 masks cannot be washed, they must be discarded as soon as they are no longer able to be used.
How long can long-term COVID-19 in children last?
The results of a study conducted by scientists from Denmark that included more than 30,000 children revealed that the effects of the Covid-19 virus in children can last for up to 5 months, in the so-called long-term corona syndrome.
And the long-term corona syndrome is a group of symptoms that persist with a person infected with the Corona virus for a period of more than 4 weeks, and more than 200 symptoms that affect more than 9 organs in the body have been counted and last for a year for some people, according to what Dr. Mays Absi, an epidemiologist said. At the Royal University of London in previous statements to Al Jazeera Net.
In his report, published by the Russian newspaper "Izvestia", Denis Gritsenko says that fatigue and loss of sense of smell and taste are among the most common long-term symptoms among people infected with the Corona virus.
Scientists have concluded that what is known as brain fog, headache, muscle and joint pain, and nausea are symptoms of “long-term Covid.”
A group of Danish scientists worked to identify the characteristics of long-term Covid-19 in children.
The results of a study showed that in most children, the symptoms of long-term COVID-19 disappear within one to five months.
The good news that the researchers found and mentioned in their conclusion is that long-term COVID disease in children is rare, and usually of short duration.
According to Oksana Stanevich - from the Institute of Interdisciplinary Medical Research at the European University - "the results of the study that the symptoms of HIV infection in children can persist for 5 months are logical."