Researchers explain why lactose intolerance could be haunting your sleep

• A survey of over 1,000 students reveals a clear link between lactose intolerance, digestive upset, and more frequent nightmares.
  

• Only around 5.5% believe food affects their dreams, but sweets and dairy are the top perceived triggers.
  

• Feeling gassy or in stomach discomfort at night seems to mess with sleep quality and increase the chances of disturbing dreams.
  

If youve ever blamed late-night pizza or cheese for a weird dream, youre not alone.

Researchers at Universit de Montral and MacEwan University dug into whether food especially dairy can really affect sleep and dreams.

They surveyed 1,082 students, asking about their eating habits, overall health, sleep patterns, dream recall, and any food intolerances or allergies to determine if there's a genuine link between dairy and bad dreams.

Nightmare severity is robustly associated with lactose intolerance and other food allergies, researcher Dr. Tore Nielsen said in a news release.

These new findings imply that changing eating habits for people with some food sensitivities could alleviate nightmares. They could also explain why people so often blame dairy for bad dreams!

The study

Participants, mainly undergrads around age 20, completed an online questionnaire between January and April2023. It covered:

• Personal info (age, gender, health conditions)

• Diet habits (evening eating, snacks, food choices)

• Any intolerances (lactose, gluten) or allergies

• Sleep quality (using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index)

• Nightmare frequency and severity (using a trimmed-down Nightmare Disorder Index)

They also asked if students thought certain foods or late meals affected their sleep or dreams. Statistical analyses looked for connections between food, physical symptoms, sleep quality, and dream experiences.

The results

Heres a look at what the researchers found:

• Many feel food affects their sleep. About 40% believed that eating late or certain foods influenced their sleep; 25% thought it made sleep worse. But only 5.5% said food affected their dreams directly.

• Dairy and sweets get the blame. Among those few, most blamed desserts/sweets (31%) and dairy (22%) for weird dreams or nightmares.

• Lactose intolerance stands out. The strongest link emerged for students with lactose intolerance: they reported more GI symptoms (like gas or stomach pain), poorer sleep quality, and more frequent or intense nightmares. Statistical models showed GI discomfort acted as a bridge between lactose intolerance and nightmares meaning the digestive issues likely trigger sleep disturbances and, in turn, bad dreams. Other food issues like general food allergies or gluten intolerance also connected to dream concerns, but the link was strongest for lactose intolerance.

• Overall eating habits matter. Healthier eating patterns like less evening snacking and using hunger cues were tied to better dream recall. Less healthy habits late meals, disregarding hunger signals, and experiencing GI symptoms were linked to more nightmares and negative dream content.

Nightmares are worse for lactose intolerant people who suffer severe gastrointestinal symptoms and whose sleep is disrupted, said Nielsen. This makes sense, because we know that other bodily sensations can affect dreaming.

"Nightmares can be very disruptive, especially if they occur often, because they tend to awaken people from sleep in a dysphoric state. They might also produce sleep avoidance behaviors. Both symptoms can rob you of restful sleep.

What this means

If you suffer from lactose intolerance and find yourself waking up stressed after a disturbing dream, dairy late at night could be a culprit and not because of superstition, but because night-time stomach discomfort interferes with restful sleep.

For some, simply adjusting evening meals like avoiding dairy before bed might lead to calmer sleep and fewer nightmares.

We need to study more people of different ages, from different walks of life, and with different dietary habits to determine if our results are truly generalizable to the larger population, said Nielsen.

Experimental studies are also needed to determine if people can truly detect the effects of specific foods on dreams. We would like to run a study in which we ask people to ingest cheese products versus some control food before sleep to see if this alters their sleep or dreams.

What our guts reveal about life in a pandemic

• Digestive issues like IBS and functional dyspepsia rose among U.S. adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  

• Researchers surveyed over 160,000 people from May 2020 to May 2022 using standardized gutbrain disorder criteria.
  

• The study found an 11% increase in Rome IV digestive disorders, linked to pandemic-related stress and lifestyle changes.
  

A team at CedarsSinai set out to investigate whether digestive disorders became more common during COVID-19.

Despite most attention being on respiratory symptoms, anecdotal reports hinted that stress, quarantine, and illness might also affect gut health.

With the study, the researchers measured trends over time using clinical definitions and large-scale survey data to confirm if digestive issues truly surged during the pandemic.

Using data from a national online study, we found that rates of digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation rose significantly, researcher Christopher V. Almario, M.D., MSHPM, said in a news release.

These findings underscore the significant toll the pandemic has taken on digestive health.

The study

This was a longitudinal, national survey that tracked U.S. adults from May 2020 to May 2022. More than 160,000 participants completed periodic questionnaires based on the Rome IV criteria a gold standard for diagnosing gutbrain interaction disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and others.

The Rome IV tool identifies symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort, and altered bowel habits.

Participants answered the same questions repeatedly over two years, enabling researchers to measure prevalence trends and correlate changes with stages of the pandemic.

The findings

Overall, the researchers learned that digestive disorders have been on the rise since the pandemic IBS specifically.

In May 2020, rates of IBS were at about 6% among U.S. adults. That figure nearly doubled to 11% by May 2022.

The incidence of chronic idiopathic constipation had a slight increase from 6.0% in 2020 to 6.4% in 2022.

The researchers explained that pandemic-related stress is likely a key driver: isolation, health fears, loss of routine, and shifts in diet/exercise.

Its important to note that this study didnt look at infection status, so the rise appears more tied to societal stress than direct effects of COVID infection.

What It Means for You

Based on these findings, if you've been experiencing ongoing gut issues like bloating, irregular bowels, or discomfort it's worth talking to your health care provider.

Standard treatments for functional gut disorders (e.g., dietary changes, stress management, medications) are still relevant and mental health support may play a key role.

This research calls for a renewed focus on gastrointestinal health in the post-pandemic era, researcher Brennan Spiegel, M.D., MSHS, said in the news release.

Health care providers must be vigilant in recognizing and addressing the long-term effects of the pandemic on digestive health.

Brownsville, Texas, is the safest city for drivers

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

If youre hoping to keep your car free from dents and dings, you might want to steer clear of Boston. A new study has named Massachusetts capital as the city where drivers are most likely to get into an accident.

According to fresh data from Allstate, Bostonians can expect to drive an average of just 3.1 years between crashes, significantly below the national average of 10.5 years and far behind the nations safest city. The findings place Boston at the top of the list for fender benders and other roadway mishaps.

Northeast leads

Boston isnt alone in its dubious distinction. The northeast corridor, in particular, is a hotspot for collisions. Here's the rundown from worst to not-quite-so-bad:

1. Boston, MA
2. Washington, DC
3. Baltimore, MD
4. Worcester, MA
5. Springfield, MA
6. Glendale, CA
7. Los Angeles, CA
8. Oakland, CA
9. Providence, RI
10. Philadelphia, PA

2. West coast not immune

The West Coast isnt entirely off the hook. California cities Glendale, Los Angeles, and Oakland also rank among the nations worst for accident frequency, though Allstate notes these urban centers have seen marginal improvements compared to the previous 2025 study.

Where drivers behave

At the other end of the spectrum, drivers in Brownsville, Texas, enjoy the longest accident-free stretches in the country, averaging an impressive 14.2 years between crashes.

1. Brownsville, TX
2. Boise, ID
3. Fort Collins, CO
4. Cary, NC
5. Laredo, TX
6. Olathe, KS
7. Scottsdale, AZ
8. Port St. Lucie, FL
9. Madison, WI
10. Eugene, OR

While regional traffic, road conditions, and driver behavior all contribute to these numbers, the stark differences across the map suggest that geography still plays a major role in your chances of keeping your bumper intact.

So if youre planning a road tripor considering a movechoose wisely. Your car (and your insurance premium) may thank you.

We provide a link to a non-profit serving the Texas Hill Country

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Support flood relief in Texas through the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a verified 501(c)(3) organization funding trusted nonprofits, first responders, and local governments involved in relief efforts.

• Be cautious of scam charities that use high-pressure tactics, vague descriptions, or untraceable payment methodsalways confirm a charitys legitimacy before donating.

• If donating via GoFundMe, search its official Texas flooding hub for verified fundraisers, and ensure funds are securely directed to confirmed beneficiaries.

The human tragedy that unfolded in the Texas Hill Country over the weekend has captured the nations attention and heart, with millions of Americans opening their checkbooks to help.

But unfortunately, as in the aftermath of every natural disaster, scammers impersonate legitimate relief organizations in order to profit from Americans compassion and generosity. Americans who want to help should make sure that the money they send is actually going to the people who need it.

Kerr County, Texas Sheriff Larry Leitha announced that the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a 501(c)(3) charity serving the Texas Hill Country, has established this relief fund.

Grants from the Fund will support nonprofit organizations, first responder agencies, and local governments actively involved in response, relief, and recovery efforts, the organization said on its website.

While we are unable to award grants directly to individuals or families - or to fund repairs to private property or replace personal belongings - we are committed to channeling resources to the trusted organizations working tirelessly to help our neighbors in need.

GoFundMe takes extra precautions

GoFundMe pages are being set up to aid individuals and families, but care must be taken to make sure the appeal is legitimate. GoFundMe said it has launched a hub where donors can search for established Texas flooding fundraisers verified by the platform. GoFundMe said its Trust & Safety team is updating the hub as additional fundraisers are established.

According to the platform, funds will be held for the named recipient(s) of the campaign. If questions arise, GoFundMe said its payment processors will hold the funds until the beneficiary is confirmed.

Here are six red flags that indicate that a charity is being run by scammers:

1. High-Pressure Tactics

• Scammers may insist you donate immediately, using emotional appeals or urgent language like act now or victims are dying.

• Legitimate charities will give you time to decide.

2. Lack of Transparency

• Vague or generic descriptions of how donations are used (e.g., helping victims) without specifying programs or activities.

• No clear contact information, website, or physical address.

3. Unfamiliar or Imitation Names

• Scam charities often use names that sound like well-known organizations (e.g., Red Cross Relief Fund instead of American Red Cross).

• Check for subtle misspellings or rearranged words.

4. No Registration or EIN

• Real charities are registered with the IRS and have an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
  

• In the U.S., you can verify them through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
  

5. Payment by Cash, Gift Card, or Wire Transfer

• Scammers may request payment through untraceable methods like Venmo, prepaid gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
  

• Legitimate charities typically accept checks or credit cards.
  

6. Unsolicited Contact

• Be cautious if contacted out of the blue by phone, text, email, or social media.
  

• Never click on links or download attachments from unknown senders claiming to be a charity.

At least 16 facilities have gone bankrupt since the pandemic, survey finds

• Bankruptcy filings among continuing-care retirement communities have surged since the pandemic, eroding residents promised refunds.

• Seniors have lost significant portions of hefty entrance fees meant to secure lifelong care.

• Industry experts warn weak regulation and ties to the housing market leave retirees financially vulnerable.

When 89-year-old Arlene Kohen moved into Harborside, a continuing-care retirement community in Port Washington, N.Y., she believed she had secured peace of mind. The community offered independent living along with the promise of nursing, memory, and assisted care should her health decline. Like many seniors, she paid a steep price for that security: a $945,000 entrance fee and $5,700 in monthly charges by the end of her stay.

But that promise unraveled as Harborside went bankrupt multiple times. Ultimately, Kohen, who sold her family home to afford the entrance fee, was forced to leave when the new owner scaled back services. Her family now expects to recover less than a third of the $710,000 refund they were promised a scenario increasingly common across the nations retirement communities.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, at least 16 continuing-care retirement communities have filed for Chapter 11 since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, wiping out more than $190 million in residents savings from over 1,000 families. Harborside alone affected 212 families.

These communities, which often rely on residents home sales to fund hefty entrance fees, became financially strained when the pandemic halted new move-ins and roiled the housing market.

Religious roots,modern complexities

The business model of these facilities which blend housing, healthcare, and insurance-like future services has roots in religious organizations dating back a century. Though most are nonprofits, many depend on upfront entrance fees not only for future services but to pay off construction debt and fund daily operations.

When cash flow dries up, residents, as unsecured creditors, often come last in bankruptcy proceedings, behind bondholders and other secured lenders.

Regulation remains spotty despite past warnings. Following the 2008-09 financial crisis, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging flagged these communities as especially vulnerable during economic downturns. Yet many states lack the expertise to regulate facilities whose financial models resemble complex insurance products.

Even Florida, one of the few states treating such facilities as insurance entities, failed to prevent losses for about 100 seniors when Unisen Senior Living in Tampa collapsed last year.

Industry insiders say the underlying issue is structural. You need expertise thats equivalent to insurance commissioners expertise if youre going to regulate that, said Katherine Pearson, a law professor at Pennsylvania State Universitys Dickinson Law, speaking to the Journal. But few states have such expertise.