Struggling with symptoms of insomnia and have become one of those who’ve mentioned the term night owl or nocturnal in your Instagram bio, or simply feel like you function better once the sun goes down? Well, nocturnal, in simple terms, is a person who’s more active at night.
But, while most people might mistake the urge to be up at night as just a bad sleeping pattern or insomnia, two nocturnal symptoms could be early warning signs of a fatal condition.
The human body is capable of more than 200 types of cancer, which also depend on the location of the cancer in the body. However, prolonged irregular sleeping patterns and naturally being more active at night could be a sign of something more severe. Research claims that both excessive night sweating and insomnia could be signs of cancer.
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As per The Daily Express US, sweating during sleep can occur for many harmless reasons, such as warm weather, a heavy blanket, or sleeping next to someone else, but medical professionals urge individuals to be alert if they experience drenching night sweats or unexplained fevers, as these could be linked to cancers like lymphoma (a type of cancer).
The National Health Service, as per the outlet, said, “If you regularly wake up with soaking wet sheets or nightclothes, even in a cool room, it’s important to get it checked by your GP.”
Persistent insomnia over a long time can also lead to daily dysfunction, leading to fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, and a general sense of being unable to cope. While it may begin from pain, illness and side effects of a major treatment, it’s important to keep a check on your body from time to time.
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The NHS says, “It’s important to be aware of what is normal for you and speak to your doctor if you notice any unusual changes or something that won’t go away. This can help to diagnose cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.”
Other general cancer symptoms include Sudden or unexplained weight loss, Persistent pain or discomfort, Unusual bleeding or bruising or new lumps or swellings. Consequently, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, carcinoid tumours, leukaemia, mesothelioma, bone cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, germ cell tumors, and advanced medullary thyroid cancer.
These days, a lot of people are coming out and talking about cancer and how it’s a disease that has a lot of underlying factors to it, from genes to lifestyle to immunity and more.
Back on April 19, an old creator on TikTok named Evie was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system (white blood cells), with the aim of making others like her aware and more cautious and not ignore the small warning signs.
She experienced most of the symptoms mentioned above, which included Evie sleeping 24/7 and not being able to get through the day without a nap despite sleeping well at night. While she dismissed the concerns as anxiety or stress, she also lost a lot of weight.
Eventually, when certain symptoms kept recurring, Evie rushed to her general practitioner to help her figure out what had gone wrong with her. Doctors later confirmed the lump was a swollen lymph node, inflamed due to Hodgkin lymphoma.
If you experience any of these signs, especially in combination or if they persist, it’s essential to consult a medical professional for proper examination and early intervention.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from secondary sources and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms such as night sweats, insomnia, or other unexplained changes in your health, please consult a qualified medical professional for a proper diagnosis and guidance.
