Urgent 'nightmare' warning issued to anyone that eats cheese
A study of over 1,000 people found that those with lactose intolerance reported overall worse quality sleep and significantly more bad dreams
Can say with 100% certainty that cheese before bed does not give me nightmares. pic.twitter.com/Xxf1fuTYhI
They said dairy may cause 'gastrointestinal disturbance' that can disrupt sleep.
Study author Dr Tore Nielsen, from the University of Montreal, in Canada, said: 'Nightmares are worse for lactose-intolerant people who suffer severe gastrointestinal symptoms and whose sleep is disrupted.
'This makes sense because we know that other bodily sensations can affect dreaming. These findings imply that changing eating habits for people with food sensitivities could alleviate nightmares.
'They could also explain why people so often blame dairy for bad dreams. We're routinely asked whether food affects dreaming. Now we have some answers.'
Experts reckon digesting dairy can cause gut pain that plays havoc with the sleeping brain. Speaking previously, Dr Dennis Schmoltzi, CEO at Emma Sleep, said: 'Whether scientifically proven or just an old wives' tale, there's no doubt that Brits have identified a link between their cheese intake, and the strange visions that feature in their dreams.
Recommended reading:
'Unfortunately for those who believe they have had a cheese-induced night-fright, 'tis the season to be cheesy – and vivid dreams may be part and parcel with Christmas celebrations.
'The admiration and love for cheese felt by Brits is clear to see – and with Christmas on the horizon, I have no doubt that households across the country are dusting off their cheese boards.
'It is interesting to note the number of cheese-lovers who feel snoozy after indulging in their favourite snack – a relationship which might account for a portion of the unscheduled festive naps taken this Christmas.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Urgent weight loss jab warning as 'common mistake' can lead to organ failure
Around 1.5 million people in the UK are thought to be using weight loss jabs, with many paying privately as NHS supplies remain limited - but some dangerous side effects have been reported A nurse has issued a stark warning to Brits using Mounjaro, claiming a "common mistake" could put them at risk of life-threatening organ failure. Dubbed the "King Kong" of slimming injections, Mounjaro is now available on the NHS to help tackle the UK's obesity crisis. But experts warn thousands of patients may be vulnerable to serious side effects because GPs are failing to carry out one crucial blood test. Rachael Joy, a nurse and chief clinical officer at private healthcare provider SheMed, told Mail Online: "The safest way for people to use these jabs is through mandatory blood screening." She explained that simple blood tests could flag up hidden health issues that might make the jabs unsuitable, such as liver problems, uncontrolled diabetes or dangerously high levels of triglycerides - a type of fat in the blood that can raise the risk of pancreatitis. 'If someone has really high triglycerides, they may be at higher risk of pancreatitis,' she warned. Pancreatitis - an inflammation of the pancreas, the organ behind your stomach - can trigger organ failure and even prove fatal in severe cases. Experts believe high fat levels, combined with dehydration and other factors, could make certain people more vulnerable. Ms Joy added: "People with uncontrolled diabetes are also at greater risk of becoming severely dehydrated, which can be very serious. Without a blood test, this could be missed." The warning comes as the UK's medicines regulator investigates whether some people have a genetic trait that increases their risk of dangerous side effects from "GLP-1" drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed it is probing more than 560 reports of pancreatitis linked to the jabs since their launch, including 10 deaths. Dr Alison Cave, the MHRA's chief safety officer, said: 'Evidence shows almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with genetic testing.' Adverse drug reactions already cost the NHS an estimated £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone, and account for one in six hospital admissions. While Mounjaro has been hailed as a game-changer for weight loss and for lowering blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, Ms Joy cautioned it is 'not a silver bullet' and can cause serious side effects, including nausea, diarrhoea and dehydration. Severe dehydration can lead to headaches, dizziness and, in rare cases, seizures or kidney failure if untreated. She is now urging healthcare bosses to impose stricter safety guidelines for prescribing the jabs, warning that busy GPs are under huge time pressures. At SheMed, blood tests are mandatory before patients are approved for treatment, but Ms Joy fears this isn't always happening elsewhere. The MHRA is also urging anyone who suffers side effects to report them through its Yellow Card scheme. Genetic screening is being explored as a way to make prescribing safer in future. Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England, said: 'Medicines like GLP-1s can be transformative, but like all treatments, there's a risk of serious side effects. Many adverse reactions may have a genetic cause, and genetic screening could be the key to safer, more personalised treatment.' Around 1.5 million people in the UK are thought to be using weight loss jabs, with many paying privately as NHS supplies remain limited. The main warning sign of pancreatitis is severe stomach pain radiating to the back that doesn't go away. Anyone experiencing this is urged to seek urgent medical attention.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Mixing sunny days and alcoholic beverages could take a toll on your health
While sunshine and alcohol seem like a match made in heaven to many of us, the combination can have some unexpected, and potentially harmful, effects on your health We Brits are known for our love of a chilled bevvy as soon as the sun makes an appearance – be it a can in the park or a pint in the pub garden. However, while basking in the sun with a drink in hand may seem like the perfect summer scenario to many, this combination can have some surprising and potentially damaging effects on your health. From accelerating dehydration to heightening your risk of sunburn and impairing judgement in the heat, the consequences of mixing sunshine and alcohol are more serious than most realise. In light of Alcohol Awareness Week (July 7–13), the following advice from experts will help you - and us - understand exactly what impact drinking in the sun can have on our bodies, and have compiled some handy tips to help mitigate these risks. Dehydration "Dehydration is the main culprit when it comes to consuming alcohol in the sunshine, leading to unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue, and in some instances requiring medical intervention," points out Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK. Dr Ajay Bagga, senior GP leader at Nuffield Health, concurs and elaborates: "This is because alcohol functions as a diuretic, causing you to urinate more and lose vital fluids. Combine this with sweating from the heat, and the risk of dehydration escalates rapidly." On particularly hot days, Piper emphasises that the safest course of action is to abstain from alcohol entirely. However, if that's not feasible, he suggests alternating between alcoholic drinks and water. "This method, known as zebra striping, slows down our alcohol consumption and keeps us topped up with the fluids we need to prevent the dehydration double whammy of alcohol and hot weather," explains Piper. "If it's really hot, consider two glasses of water for one glass of alcohol." Bagga also suggests always having a refillable water bottle on hand during the summer months and taking regular sips, even if you're not feeling parched. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion Heatwaves can be perilous in their own right – and adding alcohol into the equation can further heighten your risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. "Alcohol impairs your body's ability to sense and regulate temperature," explains Bagga. "Combined with high heat, this can lead to heat exhaustion – or worse, heat stroke, which can be life-threatening." To help mitigate this risk, try to stay in the shade during peak UV times, when the sun's rays are at their most potent. "Minimise this risk by avoiding alcohol during the hottest part of the day (typically 11am–3pm) and sticking to shaded or air-conditioned areas," advises Bagga. "If you feel dizzy, confused, or nauseous, stop drinking immediately and seek shade, hydration or medical attention if needed." Sleep Excessive heat and alcohol can adversely affect both the quantity and quality of our sleep. "While the sleep-inducing effect of booze can help us drop off, alcohol suppresses the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) part of our sleep cycle, which makes for a less restful slumber," says Piper. "Put all of this together and we can wake up feeling more tired than when we went to bed; and with a sore head to boot. One of the most effective ways to prevent alcohol from wreaking havoc on our sleep is to stop drinking earlier in the day." "Stopping drinking earlier in the day and only having water after, say 9pm, can help prevent alcohol from playing too much havoc with our sleep in the hot weather," said Piper, advising moderation for better Z's. "We can also keep track of how much alcohol we're consuming throughout the day using an app like Try Dry. "By logging our drinks, we can see how many units we've consumed and decide to call time on our boozing and rehydrate earlier before we go to bed, hopefully enabling a more restful night's sleep," he adds. Sunburn and skin damage "Alcohol lowers your awareness, meaning you might forget to reapply sunscreen or stay in the sun too long," warns Bagga, linking booze to increased risk of sunburn. "It also widens blood vessels, increasing your skin's sensitivity to UV damage." The experts stress the importance of diligent sun protection: "Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before heading out and reapply every two hours," Bagga recommends, cautioning against overestimating cloud cover. "Don't rely on clouds for protection, UV rays can still cause damage on overcast days." Impaired judgement and increased injury risk "Many summer activities can involve physical movement and potential hazards such as water sports or rooftop gatherings," Bagga points out. "Alcohol impairs coordination and decision-making, increasing the likelihood of accidents or injury. "Minimise this risk by never mixing alcohol with swimming, boating, or cycling and keep at least one sober person in your group who can assist in case of emergencies." Moreover, this summer could be the perfect opportunity to explore some non-alcoholic alternatives. "While booze and hot weather might trigger associations for us, we don't have to act on those associations like Pavlov's dogs," suggests Piper. "Enjoy a cold alcohol-free beer and keep drinking plenty of water, and you'll feel a whole lot better."
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I was banned from going on holiday after terrible thing always happened'
Hotter weather and social media pressure to have a perfect complexion can make those with a skin condition feel self-conscious and for Kirsty Robertson, even travelling abroad was off the cards NHS England reports that half of UK adults experience a skin condition each year, meaning around 35 million are currently affected. And around 27 million (76%) of people with a skin condition say they feel more anxious about it as the weather gets warmer as more of our skin is often on display. In addition, 77% say that social media beauty trends, such as Korean 'glass skin', increase pressure to achieve a flawless complexion, with millennials reporting the highest levels of insecurity. Miriam Martinez Callejas, co-founder and superintendent pharmacist at Roseway Labs, believes that social media skin trends can have a damaging effect on mental health. 'The impact of social media on its users can be hugely underestimated,' she says. 'More research is needed into its psychological effects, but our research indicates it is having a notable influence on how people see themselves – especially young women. A quarter of UK adults with a skin condition said they compare themselves to people they see online.' Around 79% of those with a skin condition say GP-prescribed or over-the-counter treatments haven't worked for them, leading desperate Brits to spend a fortune on off-the-shelf options, which may have nasty side effects. A study by Roseway Labs, which has partnered with dermatologists to provide customised skincare for a variety of skin conditions including acne and psoriasis, found that each summer, a growing number of people are turning to alternative methods to treat long-standing skin conditions. Kirsty Robertson, 49, a social worker from Glasgow, shares how having DSAP has affected her confidence and affected travelling abroad. 'I've lived with DSAP for 12 years. It's a skin condition that heightens sensitivity to UV light and can give me multiple dry, scaly rings, mostly on my arms and legs. I have one or two on my face and chest. It's a progressive condition that worsens with even the mildest sun exposure. 'What began as a small circular mark on my wrist gradually spread to patches on my arms and legs within a few years. The only advice I was given from doctors was to completely avoid sun exposure. 'DSAP has impacted my life and mental health. As well as avoiding the sun and covering up, I would avoid going on sunny holidays. 'Social media often portrays images of perfect skin, so it has influenced what I wish I could have – flawless skin. But I found a DSAP patient support group on Facebook and some were talking about a compounding pharmacy that had helped them. 'I discovered a treatment for my DSAP called 2/2 cream – a combination of 2% of two medical ingredients. It's the only product that has really helped me. It's nota cure, but my skin does clear up. 'Most importantly, it has improved my emotional wellbeing. I feel confident about doing things I wouldn't have wanted to before – I now wear a bikini on the beach. 'My advice would be, don't give up if you haven't found something that works. Look for treatments not readily available from your GP. And join support groups with others that know what you're going through.' For more info on personalised medicine from Roseway Labs, visit or speak to your healthcare professional.
