Nightmares reveal HEALTH warning signs

This is because your brain, which has been missing out on the REM sleep required to process memories, learning and emotions each day, constantly wants to go back into it. 'The build-up of unprocessed emotion can lead to more reported nightmares,' says Professor McNamara.

Sometimes our nightmares can reflect waking health concerns, such as breathing problems. A study published in the journal Dreaming in 2006 found those with breathing problems during wakefulness often reported dreaming about being choked or suffocated; those who perspired excessively while awake often dreamed about sweating.

'Our dreaming brains deal in metaphors and symbols,' says Professor McNamara. 'During REM sleep, the brain tries to capture and process overwhelming sensations, things that are troubling us, or that we can't put into words. It does this through the pictures we see in our dreams.'

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