A number of strange things happen to our bodies as we sleep and our brains recharge. Snoring, drooling, dreaming or even sleep-walking are common consequences of a good kip.
But a doctor has warned of one symptom that occurs as we get 40 winks that could be an indicator of cancer. A video shared on the MrDr_HQ TikTok page showed an expert explaining that many patients “overlook” this symptom of the disease, which can delay diagnosis.
Night sweats can be caused by a number of different health conditions, or by the consumption of drugs and alcohol. The NHS also states that some people will sweat through the night for no reason, so this symptom is not an automatic indicator of cancer.
However, the medical professional stressed online that if you experience night sweats, you should speak to your doctor, as they could be an early indication of several forms of cancer, reports Surrey Live.
“Night sweats [are] a very, very important symptom that tend to be overlooked by people,” the TikTok doc said. “The reason why it’s so important is that it can be caused by a wide variety of things that can be sinister or dangerous, the first one being blood cancers or malignancies of any type, so any type of cancer can give you night sweats. Additionally, it can be caused by serious infections like TB [tuberculosis].”
The expert then explained other conditions that can lead to night sweats, which included inflammatory conditions like lupus as well as hormonal irregularities. “If you have night sweats, make sure you speak to your doctor about it,” he advised.
NHS guidance states: “Most people sweat during the night. If you regularly wake up with soaking wet sheets you should get it checked by a GP.” According to the health service, a GP won’t usually treat you for night sweats alone, but they will test for other conditions.
Menopause, anxiety, some types of antidepressants, steroids and painkillers could also lead to soggy pyjamas in the night. Low blood sugar or hyperhidrosis (a condition that causes excessive sweat) can also increase sweating as you sleep.
But doctors won’t always be able to find the cause of your night sweats. The NHS recommends you see a GP if: you have night sweats regularly that either wake you up or worry you; the night sweats are accompanied by a very high temperature, feeling hot and shivery, a cough or diarrhoea; or the night sweats are accompanied by unexplained weight loss.
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