Rarely heard of cancer symptom which can be seen on your sheets every morning (original) (raw)

Cancer symptoms can be spotted in a variety of ways and one little-known sign could be visible on your bed sheets when you wake up in the morning

While night sweats can have benign causes like room temperature or sharing a bed, consistently waking up drenched could indicate something more serious

Health experts are raising the alarm over a lesser-known cancer symptom that could be lurking in your bedroom. Cancer, with over 200 known types, occurs when abnormal cells multiply uncontrollably, invading adjacent tissues and organs.

The signs of cancer generally hinge on the affected area, such as a persistent cough pointing to lung cancer or visible blood in stools suggesting bowel cancer. Yet some symptoms might be ambiguous and easily overlooked, like an unusual indicator that shows up in your sleeping area each morning. If you notice excessive sweating staining your bed linen, it could be a classic sign you're experiencing severe nocturnal perspiration, reports the Express. While night sweats can have benign causes like room temperature or sharing a bed, consistently waking up drenched could indicate something more serious.

"Most people sweat during the night," notes the NHS, advising, "If you regularly wake up with soaking wet sheets you should get it checked by a GP." Night sweats of such intensity that clothes and bedding become saturated, despite cool sleeping conditions, should be investigated promptly.

According to Cancer Research UK, "very heavy night sweats" can flag cancer's presence, though they may also stem from medication side effects or other less grave conditions. The charity warns: "Sweating at night or having a high temperature (fever) can be caused by infections or a side effect of certain medications. It's also often experienced by women around the time of the menopause. But speak to your doctor if you have very heavy, drenching night sweats, or an unexplained fever." NHS insights suggest that some cancers may increase perspiration levels significantly.

Among these is leukaemia. Leukaemia Care recognises night sweats as a symptom in about 30 percent of those with the condition. While the organisation acknowledges it's normal to sweat during sleep, particularly in warmer conditions, it stresses: "However, severe night sweats that occur to an extent that your bed sheets or pyjamas become soaking wet, despite sleeping in a cool environment, can sometimes be a sign of leukaemia."

A survey finding highlights a significant indicator: "Out of over 2,000 leukaemia patients asked in our survey, 31 percent reported night sweats as a major symptom before their diagnosis." Leukaemia Care outlines the distinction between routine sweating and potential warning signs of cancer: "You regularly have night sweats that wake you up at night you may wake up drenched in sweat, unable to cool down even if your room is cool". Describing the intensity of such symptoms, the charity adds: "Many describe the feeling as if they had just got out of a swimming pool and laid down in bed."