Nightmares are vivid dreams that can cause feelings of fear, terror, and/or anxiety. Usually, the person having a nightmare is abruptly awakened from sleep and is able to describe the dream in detail.

Night terrors, typically seen in children aged 3-12 years, are distinctly different from the much more common nightmares. Night terrors are characterized by frequent and recurrent episodes of intense crying and fear during sleep, with difficulty arousing the child.

What Causes Nightmares?

Nightmares can be caused by many factors including:

Illness
Anxiety
Loss of a loved one
Negative reactions to a medication

When to See Your Doctor

Call your doctor if nightmares occur more often than once a week or if nightmares prevent you from getting a good night's sleep for a prolonged period of time.

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic

View Article Sources Sources

Edited by Leonard J. Sonne, MD on January 01, 2007

'Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2006

Sleep Disorders Guide

Overview & Facts

Symptoms & Types

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment & Care

Living & Managing

Support & Resources

Depression Symptoms — Treatment May Help

Important Safety Information Full Prescribing Information

Real Migraines, Real People

Learn How TOPAMAX Can Help from Patients Who Have Been There

Important Safety Information | Prescribing Information

TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.

Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.

More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.

Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.

WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.