Cold weather can cause chills, night sweats and fatigue, but these are also typical symptoms of cancer so they are easily confused.
Winter or cold weather affects many aspects of health, which can cause dry skin, watery eyes, runny nose and joint pain. However, some conditions that seem to be caused by cold weather can also be symptoms of cancer. This can easily cause confusion leading to late diagnosis.
The first symptom is chills. This is not a typical symptom of cancer. However, when cancer cells, especially leukemias, affect the immune system and cause infection, the patient may experience chills, according to Dr. Joel Newman, a hematologist at Nuffield Health.
“Sometimes we get night sweats in winter. This can be a symptom of certain types of blood cancers like lymphomas, but of course, it can also happen if you use blankets that are too thick, causing heat body temperature increases,” Dr. Newman added.
Chills are often a sign that the body is fighting an infection, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as fever. Chills caused by infection can cause uncontrolled shaking and feeling cold even in a warm environment, Dr. Newman explains.
Sweating caused by lymphomas usually only occurs at night, rarely during the day. Patients often sweat so much that the bed, blanket, mattress and clothes are also wet.
Another symptom that seems to be caused by cold weather, but also signals cancer tired. When the temperature drops, the body needs a lot of energy to keep warm, which can easily cause fatigue if you have to work a lot. Additionally, if people don’t eat enough, they can feel exhausted even without doing anything. However, extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest can be an early sign of cancer.
Cancer cells use the body’s nutrients to grow and progress, making those nutrients no longer enough to provide for daily activities. Nutrient deficiencies can make patients feel very tired.
“Normal fatigue improves with rest, but cancer-induced fatigue does not,” says Dr. Newman.
Winter chills can signal cancer. Image: Cerebral
When should I see a doctor?
Experts say people should see a doctor when fatigue and chills persist and do not improve. Other symptoms to watch out for are unexplained weight loss, persistent cough, or changes in toilet habits.
It is important to be aware of new or worrying symptoms. The National Health Service (NHS) lists some other symptoms of cancer:
- Cough that lasts three weeks or more.
- Changes in toilet habits that last three weeks or more.
- Stomach upset.
- Blood in stools.
- Unexplained diarrhea or constipation.
- Still have a feeling of heaviness in my stomach after going to the bathroom.
- Abdominal or anal pain.
- Loose, pale or fluid stools.
- Edema or lumps that rapidly increase in size on the body.
- Moles change shape or color.
- Losing a lot of weight over several months for no apparent reason.
- Abdominal or back pain of unknown cause.
- Irritation or jaundice, darker urine than usual.
- Prolonged fatigue.