A little-known symptom that doctors say could be a sign of cancer – it shows up on sheets and pillows every morning
A little-known symptom that doctors say could be a sign of cancer – it shows up on sheets and pillows every morning
As record high temperatures spread across the United States, it can be easy to overlook sweating at night.
However, in some very rare cases, excessive sweating that soaks sheets and pillows could be an early sign of cancer, experts say.
Night sweats are intense sweats that are severe enough to seep through clothing or bedding and can even keep you awake all night.
While usually nothing to worry about, they can be an early symptom of several cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, bone cancer, liver cancer, mesothelioma, and carcinoid tumors.
Night sweats are usually nothing to worry about, especially in the summer. Taking a cool shower before bed or turning on a fan can reduce the chance of this uncomfortable feeling
It’s not clear exactly why this happens, but it could be a sign that the body is trying to fight off cancer, as well as hormonal changes.
In addition, in some cases, cancer can cause a fever, which causes the body to sweat excessively to cool itself.
This can also happen if you are being treated for cancer.
Cancer patients can have hot flashes and night sweats from surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and taking certain medications, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Signs to look out for, according to ACS, include an unusually warm feeling in one or more parts of your body, wet or damp skin any time of the day, waking up with damp sheets, chills and drenched sweat, even if you are not in a hot environment.
Usually, however, night sweats are not a sign of cancer, especially during a heat wave or if you sweat more easily. More often, night sweats can be a sign of hormonal changes from menopause or pregnancy, low blood sugar, certain medications, or stress.
Even exercising right before bed, drinking alcohol, or eating spicy foods before bed can lead to night sweats.
Night sweats due to cancer tend to be more persistent and accompanied by fever, while sweats due to menopause or more common causes are only occasional. In cancer patients, this usually occurs alongside symptoms such as fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
To treat night sweats from cancer treatment, ACS recommends talking to your doctor about taking a fever-reducing medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Losing weight and exercising can also reduce the likelihood of night sweats in some patients.
If you suffer from night sweats, consider cooling your body with a cold shower or turning on the air conditioning or a fan before going to bed. Certain bedding materials, such as cotton or linen, also wick away moisture better than heavier materials.