If you have trouble keeping your hands and feet warm this autumn, be aware it could be a symptom of cancer....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy has explained how cold weather – set to strike the UK this week following the September heatwave – could take a toll on cancer patients, who often have increased sensitivity to cold.
Dr Lee said: “In a healthy person, the body’s automatic temperature control mechanisms keep the body temperature between 36.5 to 37C.
But this relies on efficient mitochondria, tiny organelles inside every cell where energy is produced, creating a robust energy supply. In cancer cells, the mechanism of mitochondrial energy production is disrupted.”
This can lead to an uncomfortable symptom, known as cold dysesthesia, that strikes in your hands and feet,
reports the Express.
Without proper processes to keep the body at the correct temperature in place, people with cancer can experience cold fingers, toes, hands and feet, when everyone else feels quite comfortable, the doctor added.
This uncomfortable sensation can also appear in existing cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, as the treatment increases susceptibility to cold.
Dr Lee said: “Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, dehydration and anaemia – all of which can make a cancer patient feel the cold.” While your hands and feet could ring alarm bells, this warning sign can also point to a myriad of benign problems. Therefore, it’s useful to know the full list of general red flags to spot.
The American Cancer Society recommends looking out for the following cancer signs:
As these aren’t the only possible cancer symptoms, the health portal recommends talking to your doctor if you notice any major changes in the way your body works or the way you feel, especially if it lasts for a long time or gets worse…CONTINUE READING>>
