Sweating is your body’s natural way of regulating body temperature – something that’s very much in play right now.
The hot temperatures leave many clothes soaking wet during the day, but the night might not be much better.
Although you can instantly eliminate night sweats in this weather, a doctor has warned that they can sometimes signal serious health issues, including cancer.
Dr Suhail Hussain, Personal Physician and Private Home GP, said: ‘Night sweating is a common occurrence and one that is much more likely to occur on hot, sticky nights like the ones we are experiencing now.
“However, the onset of such symptoms should not simply be dismissed as ‘well, it’s just hot outside’.
LEARN MORE: Doctor shares ‘most common’ cancer symptom that can get worse at night
“Night sweats can be a sign of something more serious, such as serious infections, menopause and even cancer.”
How to make the difference ?
Although night sweats can be a red flag indicating the deadly condition, they can also be completely normal.
Luckily, the doctor told her how to spot cancerous night sweats.
Dr Hussain said: “The sweats associated with cancer are normally profuse – literally. You can wake up with your pajamas and sheets soaked in sweat.
The expert also described other telltale signs that mean you should see a doctor about night sweats:
- The sweats are persistent and incessant. Most of the time, night sweats due to non-cancerous causes will be intermittent.
- Other related symptoms (such as fatigue and lack of energy)
- There may also be unexplained bruising
- You may have pain that cannot be explained
- There may be enlarged lymph nodes
- There may also be daytime sweating that is clearly not associated with being too hot at night.
Cancerous night sweats are most commonly caused by leukemia and lymphoma, which are cancers related to the blood and lymph node systems.
Therefore, you might also experience symptoms such as enlarged glands and easy bruising, the doctor added.
Dr Hussain said: “Other rarer cancers can also cause sweating – a group of cancers known as carcinoids.
“These affect hormonal function via the neuroendocrine system and can therefore lead to excessive sweating.
“Other concurrent symptoms could include flushing of the skin, alterations in pulse and blood pressure, and muscle and joint pain.
“At the end of the day, if you feel like sweating Betty or sweating Pete and it’s been going on a bit too long, go to your GP and get checked out.”
Origin of message: Daily Express