Dear Doctor, I have trouble sleeping yet I go to bed late. And recently, I started getting many dreams while sleeping which used not to be the case before. Is this normal? Norman Dear Norman, What precisely causes a dream has not been found out so far. Why one gets many dreams, while another gets it once a while is also a matter of speculation. Normally one gets a dream during (rapid eye movement), sleep. This occurs 3 to 4 times during the night. It is said that dreams are based on fears, suppressed desires or anxiety of a person. The experience of some people shows that dreams also guide one to measures for future success or point to something important to begin in life. Mental stress, something new in life of which one is apprehensive about, having heavy meals late in night, excess of caffeine and alcohol, these have been variously implicated in causing disturbed sleep and recurrent dreams. Dreams as such do not harm a person’s health. Some people dream but have no memory of it after getting up. Some remember their dreams very vividly. It varies from person to person. One may not dream much during a sound deep sleep. It is advisable to have an early dinner, avoid alcohol and caffeine before sleeping. Some people find drinking hot milk before sleeping to be soothing and ensuring deep sleep. Practice relaxation regularly. Regular physical exercise, sports played in the evening also ensure good deep sleep and maybe no dreams. Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital
