Khaberni - Healthcare specialists warn that severe night sweating, which leaves the pillows and bed sheets completely drenched in sweat, may be an indicator of serious diseases, including certain types of cancer.
Cancer signs vary depending on the affected organ; for example, persistent coughing may indicate lung cancer, while the presence of blood in stool suggests bowel cancer, but some symptoms can be vague and easily overlooked, such as excessive night sweating, which is abnormal if the room is cold and your clothes and sheets are completely wet, according to Mirror.
The NHS notes that night sweating becomes concerning when it is so severe that a person feels as if they have just stepped out of a swimming pool, and cannot cool down despite the room's coolness.
The organization Cancer Research UK lists this type of sweating among the possible symptoms of cancer, noting that it could also be a result of side effects of some medications or less serious health issues.
Types of cancer associated with night sweating
Cancers that may cause excessive night sweating include:
Kidney cancer
Germ cell tumors
Mesothelioma
Blood cancer (Leukemia)
Advanced medullary thyroid cancer
Carcinoid tumors
Hodgkin lymphoma Bone cancer
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Prostate cancer
A potential sign of leukemia
The organization Leukaemia Care points out that about 30% of those diagnosed with blood cancer suffer from severe night sweating, noting that this sweating differs from the norm, as the patient feels as though they have just emerged from a swimming pool, and it does not subside despite the room being cool.
The NHS recommends visiting a doctor immediately if night sweats occur along with unexplained weight loss, high fever, or feelings of heat and chills, or symptoms such as coughing or diarrhea, or if the night sweating persists in a way that disrupts sleep or causes concern.
