NIGHTMARES
The mnemonic PINT will help to recall the causes of
nightmares.
P—Psychiatric causes include anxiety, neurosis, and the various
psychoses.
I—Inflammation prompts the recall of nightmares associated with
systemic infections, and intoxication brings to mind the nightmares
due to alcohol and drugs such as the benzodiazepines.
N—Neurologic disorders prompt the recall of epilepsy.
T—Trauma facilitates the recall of head injury as a common cause
of nightmares.
Approach to the Diagnosis
If an infectious disease is suspected, a CBC, sedimentation rate, and
chemistry panel should be done. Alcohol- or drug-induced nightmares may be
diagnosed by the history and a drug screen. The history should also be
useful in cases of head injury, especially when questioning the family or
closely associated persons.
If epilepsy is suspected, a wake-and-sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) should
be ordered; a trial of anticonvulsants may be necessary to rule out
epilepsy. It may be useful to order a psychiatric consult early in the
evaluation.
Book Source Details
- Book Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
- Author(s): R. Douglas Collins MD, FACP
- Year of Publication: 2007
- Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Other Book Chapters Related to Nightmares
Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Nightmares:
Medical Books Excerpts
- NIGHTMARES
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.
More About Causes of Nightmares
» Next page: Medications causing Nightmares
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