The idea of having brain surgery while awake might seem amazing enough — but one Florida man took it a step further and played the guitar while doctors removed his tumor.

The neurological team from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine wanted the patient, Christian Nolen, to play notes on the instrument so they could evaluate and protect his manual dexterity while being as aggressive as possible in removing the tumor.

The surgeon and patient both spoke with Fox News Digital about the experience.

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Nolen, who is an avid guitar player, had a tumor on the right frontal lobe of his brain that was starting to cause symptoms.

“Christian was having issues with the left side of his body, particularly his left hand,” Ricardo Komotar, M.D., director of the brain tumor program at Sylvester, told Fox News Digital via Zoom. 

“He was noticing issues with his dexterity that affected his ability to play the guitar.”

Nolen needed surgery to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of tumor — as every tumor has different treatment options, Komotar noted — and also to remove as much of it as possible.

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The surgery was scheduled for 10 days after the tumor was discovered — and Nolen was surprised when the doctors asked if he’d be willing to remain awake and play the guitar for the procedure.

“When a tumor is involving or near a critical part of the brain — something that controls the ability to speak or understand language or move — we want to do the surgery awake to continually monitor the patient, so you know if you start to violate normal brain functions,” Komotar said.

Dr. Ricardo Komotar of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is director of the brain tumor program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. (Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine)

When the patient is asleep, the doctor said, the surgery team doesn’t have the ability to get feedback.

“The surgeries actually become much more dangerous because you can take out a tumor that involves normal brain function and cause real harm without knowing it,” he said.

Given the importance of guitar-playing in Nolen’s quality of life, Komotar said there was “no better way” to monitor his manual dexterity and the effect of the tumor than to have him take up the instrument in the operating room. 

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When the doctors posed the option to Nolen, he said that at first it “didn’t seem real.”

“I’d only really heard of procedures of that nature being done in shows and movies,” he told Fox News Digital in an email. “I felt like it was such a unique experience that I couldn’t pass up — especially with my motor skills being on the line.”

He added, “The risk of being sedated for the entire procedure outweighed any fear or anxieties around the procedure itself.”

Given the importance of guitar-playing in Nolen’s quality of life, his surgeon said there was “no better way” to monitor his manual dexterity and the effect of the tumor than to have him take up the instrument in the operating room.  (Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine)

Prior to the procedure, Nolen said he was introduced to members of the surgical team and was told in-depth about what to expect. 

The anesthesiology team put Nolen to sleep for the beginning of the open craniotomy, but he was awakened during a delicate part of the two-hour procedure. Once he was oriented on what was happening, the care team gave Nolen a guitar and asked him to play.

“Upon awakening, it was quite overwhelming to see everything around me and to fight the natural reaction to sit up,” Nolen recalled. 

“I felt like it was such a unique experience that I couldn’t pass up — especially with my motor skills being on the line.”

After one of the members of the care team placed a “reassuring hand” to prevent Nolen from sitting up, he said it took only a second for him to remember what was happening.

“I just had to breathe and stay calm,” he said.

During surgery, he tried his best to play through some of the songs he had been practicing, including tunes by artists like the Deftones and System of a Down.

Nolen had a tumor on the right frontal lobe of his brain that was starting to cause symptoms. (Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine)

As the surgeons removed the tumor, they continuously monitored Nolen’s hand function while he played the guitar.

“As we were finishing the case at the very back of the tumor, we noticed that his hand function started to decline,” said Komotar. “The tumor was touching and interfacing with the part of the brain that controls hand movement. Fortunately, we were able to remove the entire tumor and not injure his hand.”

“This is wild,” Nolen said during the surgery.

What to know about awake procedures

While a patient playing guitar during surgery is not an everyday occurrence, Komotar told Fox News Digital that he and the rest of the specialized neurosurgical team perform awake surgeries several times a week, for a total of a couple of hundred times a year. 

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“Most patients are intrigued by the process,” he said. “We tell them that they’re going to be able to speak and move their hands or limbs so we can constantly examine them.”

The doctors also reassure the patients that they won’t feel any pain, likely won’t remember the entire procedure, and will remain very comfortable — “which is the result of our world-class neuroanesthesia team,” added Komotar.

Research has proven the benefits of doing procedures with awake anesthesia instead of deep general anesthesia, the doctor noted.

Prior to the procedure, Nolen was introduced to members of the surgical team and was told in-depth about what to expect. (Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine)

“Surgery with continuous neurological exam leads to better functional outcomes and fewer neurological deficits,” he said. 

There are also improvements in discharge and recovery.

“The less anesthesia you use during your procedure, the better the patient wakes up,” he said. “The faster they wake up, the sooner they are up and walking around, and the sooner they go home.”

Komotar added, “And inherently, the longer you’re in the hospital, the more complications you have.”

“Surgery with continuous neurological exam leads to better functional outcomes and fewer neurological deficits.”

Guitar-playing isn’t the only activity that patients can do during an awake craniotomy. 

Anything that doesn’t increase pressure in the head, such as playing the violin, is fair game, Komotar said. 

Some patients sing during brain surgery, which allows the surgeon to monitor their ability to form and understand words as they remove tumors in areas that involve language.

Before awake surgeries, the doctors reassure patients that they won’t feel any pain, likely won’t remember the entire procedure, and will remain very comfortable. Nolen is shown at left; Dr. Ricardo Komotar is at right.  (Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine)

There are some risks involved with awake cranial surgery, Komotar acknowledged.

“Seizures can definitely be worsened by doing awake surgery,” he told Fox News Digital. “If someone has a history of seizures, we try to avoid electric brain stimulation, which is part of the technique.”

The biggest risk of doing awake brain tumor removal is that about 5% to 10% of patients don’t “tolerate” being awakened, Komotar said. 

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“Even with world-class anesthesia, they might wake up either too startled or too in pain to be examined,” he said. “They might be confused, agitated or unable to follow commands.”

If that happens, the care team puts the patient back to sleep and proceeds with a more conservative tumor removal. 

“He went home the day after surgery. He says his quality of life is better than it’s ever been, so I think his recovery has been remarkable.”

Without having continuous feedback from the patient, the surgical team can’t be as aggressive with the tumor removal, Komotar noted. “We only take out what we know is definitely safe, and we leave anything that’s questionable.”

The road to recovery

Nolen’s surgery went smoothly and the entire tumor was removed.

“Christian did terrific,” Komotar said. “He went home the day after surgery. He says his quality of life is better than it’s ever been, so I think his recovery has been remarkable.”

“The team at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami has been very informative and has not left much to the imagination in the best way possible,” the patient said. (Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine)

The first couple of weeks after surgery were a little tough for Nolen, the patient said, mainly due to post-surgery restrictions. 

“The days were really dragging,” Nolen told Fox News Digital. “However, with a strong support system, I’ve been able to focus on the positives.”

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He is now back to working out at the gym and playing the guitar, with significant improvement in his left hand.

“A case like this spotlights the value of multidisciplinary care.”

He’s awaiting the final pathology results, with follow-up treatment likely consisting of six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy.

Both Komotar and Nolen emphasized that the success of the surgery hinged on the collaboration of the entire care team.

“The team at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami has been very informative and has not left much to the imagination in the best way possible,” said Nolen. “They have also provided me with quite a few programs for emotional support.”

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“A case like this spotlights the value of multidisciplinary care,” added Komotar. 

“It’s not possible to remove a tumor like this and get the patient home so quickly and in such good health without an entire comprehensive team — neuro anesthesiologists, great intensive care specialists, nurses, techs, great oncologists — all working together.”

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Beyond the common resolutions involving diet and exercise, the New Year is a great time to take stock of recommended health screenings and get them on the calendar, experts say.

Each person’s screening decisions will depend on individual factors such as gender, medical conditions, family history and other factors.

“Even if you’re feeling great, early detection is your best weapon against cancer,” Eric D. Whitman, M.D., system medical director of Atlantic Health System Cancer Care in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital. 

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“When it comes to any type of cancer, the earlier you catch it, the better your survival rate and ability to treat the cancer becomes.”

In addition to cancer, preventive monitoring is also important for other diseases. 

Below are eight of the most important health screenings that doctors shared with Fox News Digital.

1. Mammography for breast cancer

The current guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend that women ages 40 to 49 discuss the risks and benefits of biennial mammograms with their doctor.

For women 50 and older, regular mammograms are recommended every two years. 

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“With that said, women with a family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations like BRCA1/2 may need earlier or more frequent screening,” Eric D. Whitman, M.D., system medical director of Atlantic Health System Cancer Care in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.

2. Colonoscopy for colorectal cancer

Average-risk adults aged 50 to 75 should undergo regular colonoscopies every 10 years, Whitman said.

“Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or certain genetic syndromes may need earlier or more frequent colonoscopies,” he said. 

Average-risk adults aged 50 to 75 should undergo regular colonoscopies every 10 years, a cancer doctor said. (iStock)

Stool tests like FIT (fecal immunochemical test) or Cologuard can be alternative options for some patients, he added. 

“It’s important to discuss your options with a physician to create a screening strategy that works best for you,” Whitman said.

3. Skin cancer screenings

Adults of all ages should perform regular self-skin exams and report any suspicious changes to their doctor, Whitman advised. 

He also recommends seeing a dermatologist annually for a screening. 

“Adults at higher risk due to fair skin, sun exposure or family history may need professional skin exams more frequently,” he said. 

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“Early detection of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, is crucial,” the doctor added. 

“Be aware of the ABCDEs of melanoma (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter and Evolution) and promptly consult your doctor if you notice any concerning changes.”

4. Heart health screenings

Although heart disease remains a leading cause of death, in many cases it can be prevented or managed with proactive screening and lifestyle modifications.

Dr. Anjali Dutta, a cardiovascular specialist with Atlantic Health System in New Jersey, recommends that people get annual check-ups and screenings starting as early as age 21. 

A cardiovascular specialist recommends that people get annual check-ups and screenings starting as early as age 21.  (iStock)

“These visits should include basic assessments of blood pressure, heart rate, weight and general blood work, including complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c),” she told Fox News Digital. 

“This baseline can reveal potential issues like high cholesterol, diabetes or early signs of heart disease.”

For patients whose results are normal, this screening can be repeated every two to three years, according to Dutta.

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For those who have risk factors like hypertension or a family history of heart disease, she said that annual screenings are crucial.

The doctor also recommends a baseline EKG at around age 40, but younger individuals with a family history of heart disease, arrhythmias or concerning symptoms — like palpitations or shortness of breath — may consider getting one earlier. 

A cardiologist recommends a baseline EKG at around age 40, but younger individuals with a family history of heart disease, arrhythmias or concerning symptoms — like palpitations or shortness of breath — may consider getting one earlier.  (iStock)

“This simple test can detect electrical abnormalities in your heart, potentially revealing hidden risks before symptoms arise,” she said.

For people 50 and older, Dutta suggests considering a stress test, which assesses the heart’s function under exertion, or an echocardiogram, which provides detailed images of the heart’s chambers and valves. 

“These tests can identify blockages or weaknesses before they cause major problems,” she said.

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For individuals aged 40 to 70, Dutta said a coronary calcium score can also be beneficial. 

“This painless screening tool is revealed via a CT scan to show the amount of plaque buildup in your coronary arteries, offering a glimpse into your future heart disease risk,” she said. 

“It’s essential to have open communication with your doctor, even about seemingly minor concerns.”

“This information can empower you to adopt preventative measures like a healthy diet, exercise and stress management, even if you currently have no symptoms.”

“It’s important to remember that a healthy heart thrives on more than just screenings,” Dutta added. “That’s why it’s essential to have open communication with your doctor, even about seemingly minor concerns.”

5. Sleep health screenings

An estimated 39 million U.S. adults are living with sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that causes long pauses in breathing and drops in blood oxygen levels. 

Beyond disrupting sleep, the condition can increase the risk for many chronic and deadly health conditions.

These include disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and early or sudden death, according to Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, the head sleep expert at Wesper, a New York-based company that makes sleep disorder diagnostics technology.

An estimated 39 million U.S. adults are living with sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that causes long pauses in breathing and drops in blood oxygen levels.  (iStock)

“Testing for sleep apnea is recommended for people who have some or all of the following symptoms: chronically poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, cognitive dysfunction, morning headache, waking up gasping or choking for air, chronic insomnia, high blood pressure or a heart rhythm disorder, frequent nighttime urination, and poor mood or mental health,” Rohrscheib told Fox News Digital.

Sleep apnea is easier to screen due to the availability of home sleep testing, which can detect sleep apnea while the patient sleeps in their own bed, the expert noted.

6. Cervical cancer screenings

Each year, about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and about 4,000 women die of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Dr. Jeff Gordon, medical director of hematology-oncology at UMass Memorial Health-Harrington, recommends that women get cervical cancer screenings at age 25 and undergo primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every five years through age 65.

After that point, no screening is necessary if there is no history of disease within the past 25 years and if there has been “adequate negative prior screening” in the prior 10 years, Gordon told Fox News Digital. 

Each year, about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and about 4,000 women die of the disease. (iStock)

If a primary HPV test is not available, the doctor — who also serves as a Connecticut state senator and sits on the Public Health Committee — recommends a pap smear combined with an HPV test every five years or a pap smear alone every three years.

7. Prostate cancer screenings

Some 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2023, with around 34,700 men dying from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

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“Men should make informed decisions with their doctors about the possible benefits of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests starting at 50 years old for average risk, or earlier if higher risk,” Gordon told Fox News Digital. 

“A digital rectal exam of the prostate is also considered.”

8. Retinal exams

Cases of diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes complication that affects the eyes, are expected to increase 72% by 2050, according to the CDC. 

“Eye testing and early detection can help improve the quality of life for people with diabetes,” said Dr. Michael D. Abramoff, an Iowa-based retina specialist and the founder and executive chairman of Digital Diagnostics, an artificial intelligence health tech company.

Cases of diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes complication that affects the eyes, are expected to increase 72% by 2050, according to the CDC.  (iStock)

While eye screenings are important at any age, roughly one-third of patients older than 40 have signs of diabetic retinopathy, he told Fox News Digital.

“A screening can detect complications ranging from floaters to blindness,” Abramoff said.

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These are just some of the preventive health screenings that are available to patients.

“I encourage everyone to have an open and informed conversation with their doctor to develop a personalized screening plan that best suits their unique needs and risk factors,” said Whitman.

“Ultimately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach — it’s important to work with your doctor to craft a personalized screening plan based on your personal medical history, family history, risk factors and lifestyle.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

Chronic ear infections could delay a child’s language development, new research suggests.

University of Florida researchers launched a study about how the common childhood infection could impact speech.

Early ear infections (otitis media) have the potential to impair hearing due to fluid buildup behind the eardrum, according to the study, which was published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology in November 2023.

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Researchers investigated the auditory processing and language development of 117 kids between 5 and 10 years of age, including those with and without a history of chronic ear infections.

Children who experienced several ear infections before turning 3 had a smaller vocabulary and found it difficult to match similar-sounding words.

These children also had a hard time detecting changes in sound, which could signify a problem in the brain’s auditory processing center.

Study co-author and UF professor Susan Nittrouer, PhD, discussed the findings in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“For most children, language development appears to unfold so effortlessly that it is easy for us to lose sight of what a remarkable feat this is,” she said. 

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“And ear infections are so common among infants and toddlers that it is easy to view them as completely benign,” she added.

The study uncovered “two somewhat novel findings,” Nittrouer noted.

It’s important for guardians to pay attention to their children’s ear infection history, said the study’s lead researcher (not pictured). (iStock)

The first finding is the association of ear infections with poorer abilities to recognize patterns in the acoustic signals present in speech.

“The central auditory pathways develop after birth,” the researcher said. 

“If enough auditory input is not available to the child – which happens with temporary periods of hearing loss due to ear infections – that development of auditory pathways is delayed and these listening abilities do not develop properly.”

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The second finding implied that this poor recognition of acoustic patterns impairs the ability of children to identify specific speech sounds, including elements like syllables.

“As they get older, the language they encounter, especially in school, becomes more complex and more dependent on that level of language structure.”

“This is a critical finding,” Nittrouer said. “During early periods of language acquisition, children do not have or need keen sensitivity to phonological structure – individual speech sounds.” 

She added, “But as they get older, the language they encounter, especially in school, becomes more complex and more dependent on that level of language structure and the child’s ability to accurately and quickly recognize the individual speech sounds in words.”

One of the study’s “critical findings” was that ear infections can cause poor identification of speech sounds, the lead researcher said. (iStock)

This means that children who are delayed and challenged in their language development will “experience stronger challenges” as they get older, Nittrouer said.

“Contrary to the idea that the child will ‘get over’ or ‘outgrow’ the effects of early [ear infections], these effects may actually intensify,” she said.

“We must take every ear infection seriously.”

Nittrouer encouraged parents and caregivers to monitor children for “language-learning, academic and attentional difficulties,” including reading disabilities, as they age.

“It also means that we must take every ear infection seriously,” she added.

Other early health histories can delay a child’s speech as well, Nittrouer said — which means kids should be monitored for language development “well past the early school years.”

She also said that “the problems arising from such conditions may only present themselves as the language demands of school increase.”

Ear infections can delay the development of auditory pathways in early childhood, the study found. (iStock)

Cedars Sinai Guerin Children’s pediatric otolaryngologist Abhita Reddy, M.D., who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital she feels that in her view, the research is “under-powered.”

“The experiment had very few subjects studied and yet drew a broad conclusion from them,” the Los Angeles-based doctor said via email. “When a study has such few subjects in their experiment, often the conclusions can be easily skewed by confounding variables.”

Reddy also pointed out that the chosen population of patients studied was “concerning,” as the study looked at children who reportedly did not have many ear infections as defined by parents.

“[This] can introduce a lot of concern regarding the type of otitis media the child had, as there are two types – acute otitis media and chronic otitis media with effusion – that can have very different effects on patients’ language development,” she said.

The definition of patients who had experienced ear infections was “even more concerning,” Reddy said, since the authors apparently studied patients who had never received ear tubes.

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“They did not mention whether the patient had ear tubes during the time of [the] experiment, how many sets they had or what the indications for their ear tubes were,” she said.

The specialist said that in her opinion, parents shouldn’t draw conclusions from this study and she does not believe the research will impact the future of ENT care.

The effects of early ear infections could “intensify” as a child grows up, according to the researchers’ findings. (iStock)

“We know that recurrent acute otitis media in certain patients can be caused by eustachian tube dysfunction (a tube in our bodies that connects the middle ear space to the back of the nose) … [which], if not treated early, can lead to lifelong issues with hearing in the form of conductive hearing loss (ability for sound to transmit to the hearing nerve),” Reddy added.

In response to Reddy’s comments, lead researcher Nittrouer noted that the study underwent a “rigorous peer review process” that would have identified any weaknesses, and that the research produced “significant results.”

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“It would be a terrible tragedy to ignore the clinical implications of this study,” Nittrouer said to Fox News Digital. 

“The critical point is that pediatricians, parents and school personnel should monitor these children through the school years and speech-language pathologists should take care to test these children specifically for phonological deficits, if concerns arise,” she added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

As respiratory illnesses surge this winter, there’s one symptom many patients hope will just go away: the dreaded cough.

“At this time of year, many people suffer from minor coughs due to common colds, allergies or sinus irritation with post-nasal drip,” Dr. Whitney Hardy, family medicine physician at Ochsner Health in New Orleans, Louisiana, told Fox News Digital.

One of the most common causes of a nagging cough is known as post-nasal drip, which occurs when the insides of the nasal passages become congested.

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Often, this stems from a viral infection or an allergy trigger, according to the American Lung Association’s website.

Eventually, the nasal discharge drips to the back of the throat, causing the body to cough reflexively.

In some cases, coughs can be very debilitating, but in other cases they can resolve on their own without affecting daily activities — so it’s not always easy to know when to seek medical attention.

Here’s what the experts say you should know.

Why do we cough?

“A cough is a natural reflex in response to things like excess moisture in the lungs, foreign objects and mucus-producing infections,” Hardy told Fox News Digital.

After the irritant tickles the throat or airways, it sends a message to the brain that there is something in the body that shouldn’t be there, according to Mayo Clinic’s website.

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The brain then sends a message to the chest muscles to cough in order to get the irritant out of the body.

It’s natural for people to cough from time to time — but if the symptom becomes severe or persists for too long, it can irritate the lung and induce even more coughing.

Too much coughing can lead to trouble sleeping, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, fainting, chest pain and even broken ribs, Mayo Clinic noted.

Too much coughing can lead to trouble sleeping, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, fainting, chest pain and even broken ribs, Mayo Clinic noted. (iStock)

“This mechanism is important when we have an active infection and need to remove pus or fluid that will create further damage in the lung if it persists,” Dr. Baljinder S. Sidhu, a pulmonologist and sleep specialist who is the partner of Pacific Coast Critical Care Group in Southern California, told Fox News Digital.

“Lingering cough is often caused by irritated lung mucosa with minimal triggers.”

What are the different types of coughs?

A cough that lasts less than three weeks is known as an acute cough, per Mayo Clinic.

“An acute cough typically occurs with a viral or bacterial infection, such as the flu or pneumonia,” Hardy said.

“Sometimes, this type of cough can last up to three weeks, even after infection symptoms clear,” she added.

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“Acute coughs are dry and get worse during the day, but almost completely stop at night.”

Lung irritants such as smoke, dust and chemicals are also common causes of an acute cough.

A subacute cough lasts between three and eight weeks, and often occurs after a lingering respiratory infection, experts say.

Always see a doctor if your cough lasts for more than eight weeks, as it may be necessary to get a chest X-ray to help diagnose the cause, according to the American Lung Association. (iStock)

A cough lasting for more than eight weeks is known as a chronic cough, according to the American Lung Association.

Asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a blood pressure medication known as lisinopril can all lead to a chronic cough.

Some life-threatening conditions, such as lung cancer and heart failure (where fluid from the heart backs up into the lung), may also cause a chronic cough, experts warned.

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“Most coughs associated with a recent cold or viral illness will resolve on their own without additional treatment,” Liz Husted, M.D., a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin, told Fox News Digital.

“A cough after a viral illness can commonly last up to six weeks; typically, no additional treatment is needed.”

When does a cough become worrisome?

“A cough is always a concern when accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain,” Husted said.

“This is to be evaluated by a physician right away.”

Always see a doctor if your cough lasts for more than eight weeks, as it may be necessary to get a chest X-ray to help diagnose the cause, the American Lung Association states on its website.

See a doctor, experts recommend, if you experience severe cough, fever, difficulty breathing or wheezing no matter how long your cough lasts. (iStock)

Regardless of how long your cough lasts, experts recommend seeing a doctor if you experience severe cough, fever, difficulty breathing or wheezing.

Phlegm with pus (thick green discharge) or blood, chills, night sweats and weight loss are other red flags that indicate the need for medical attention.

Should you use home remedies?

Over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines are safe for adults to take for acute coughs, as long as the cough is not associated with any worrisome symptoms, according to experts. (Check with your doctor to be sure.)

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“These over-the-counter medications are usually a combination of several medications, including dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, phenylephrine and/or Tylenol,” Sidhu said.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that acts directly on cough receptors, the doctor noted.

Over-the-counter cough medicines are safe to take for acute coughs, as long as the cough is not associated with any worrisome symptoms, experts say. (iStock)

Guaifenesin works by making mucus thinner and easier to bring up so that less irritant is left behind.

“Phenylephrine is a decongestant that helps treat nasal congestion and postnasal drip,” Sidhu said.

Parents or caregivers should check with their pediatrician first before administering cough medications to children, experts advise.

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Also, OTC medications only treat the symptoms — not the underlying cause.

Past research has shown that they are no more effective than placebo medications in treating coughs.

“To help with an ongoing cough, use of a humidifier is recommended to keep plenty of moisture in your immediate atmosphere,” Hardy added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

If you’ve woken up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, it can be a bit scary. 

You could be experiencing night sweats, which are usually associated with menopause.

But medical experts say the condition can be caused by other issues or situations as well. 

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To find out more, doctors weighed in during interviews with Fox News Digital to share insights into the hot topic of night sweats — and what to do about it.

What are night sweats?

Excessive sweating during sleep, or night sweats, occurs when there is a dysregulation of the body’s natural reaction to excess heat, said Jesus Lizarzaburu, M.D., a family physician with TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia.

“Symptoms include drenching sweats that may soak your bedding and sleepwear, unrelated to an overheated environment,” Lizarzaburu told Fox News Digital.

What issues can cause night sweats?

Night sweats may be triggered by a number of factors.

Hormonal changes. The most common cause of night sweats is hormonal changes, such as menopause in women, said Dr. Lizarzaburu. 

He said this is not limited to females, however. 

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To a much lesser extent, low testosterone in men may cause night sweats, too.

Medications. Certain medications such as antidepressants, drugs used to treat diabetes (hypoglycemics), hormone-blocking drugs used to treat certain cancers and certain psychiatric drugs may be at the root of night sweats, Lizarzaburu also noted. 

Some medications such as antidepressants, drugs used to treat diabetes, hormone-blocking drugs used to treat certain cancers and certain psychiatric drugs may be connected to night sweats, a doctor noted. (iStock)

Hormone disorders. Conditions including hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland can cause night sweats, he explained.

Infections. Infections such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), osteomyelitis (inflammation within the bones) and even abscesses can cause night sweats, said Lizarzaburu.

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“However, I would like to point out that with infections, other symptoms such as fever or localized swelling would be present,” he clarified.

How can night sweats be treated?

Treatment for night sweats really depends on the cause, noted Mike Sevilla, M.D., a family physician with Family Practice Center of Salem in Salem, Ohio.

He said treatment can include lifestyle modifications like avoiding night sweat triggers, sleeping in a cooler room and wearing more breathable clothing. 

“I generally start with these initial steps,” Sevilla said. 

A host of lifestyle modifications and non-medication options could help treat night sweats, experts say. (iStock)

“There are possible medication options,” he said. “However, I encourage people to check in with their family physician because there could be medical testing involved to rule out possible medical causes for the night sweats.”

There are a host of lifestyle modifications and non-medication options to treat night sweats, he also indicated. 

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Here are some examples.

Watch food and drink triggers. “Avoid potential night sweat triggers before bedtime like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, spicy foods and others,” Sevilla said.

Time your workouts. Increase exercise during your waking hours and not right before bedtime, he noted.

Stay hydrated. He suggests sipping cool water before bedtime.

Wind down before bed. “Consider relaxation techniques like meditation or controlled breathing exercises,” he said.

Taking steps to wind down before bedtime — including doing meditation or controlled breathing — may help with better sleep experiences, doctors say. (iStock)

Create a favorable sleeping environment. Sleep in a cooler room and consider using a bedroom fan, said Sevilla.

Upgrade your bed dressings. Consider investing in a cooling pillow, cooling sheets or cooling mattress.

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Wear breathable clothing. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight pajamas and dress in layers to name it easy to make adjustments during sleeping hours, he said.

Monitor your medications. Sevilla cautioned that some OTC vitamins and OTC supplements may cause night sweats and/or interfere with prescription medications.

“If you are unable to have a full night of sleep because of night sweats, eventually this disruption will affect your quality of life.”

Maintain a healthy weight. Staying active and being mindful of your diet may play a role in reducing the condition.

When is seeing a doctor warranted?

Seek medical care whenever your quality of life is affected, said Lizarzaburu of TPMG Grafton Family Medicine.

“If you are unable to have a full night of sleep because of night sweats, eventually this disruption will affect your quality of life,” he noted.

Aside from the effects on quality of life and sleep, patients should be concerned the most seriously when they are present along with lymph node swelling, fever and unexplained weight loss, as these can be symptoms of lymphoma, Lizarzaburu told Fox News Digital. 

A doctor or health professional can help diagnose the cause of night sweats.  (iStock)

A doctor or medical professional can help you diagnose the cause of your night sweats. 

“For example, if menopause is the cause, one can start with supplements and escalate to hormone replacement,” said Lizarzaburu.

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“If [it’s about] low testosterone in men, testosterone replacement can help.” 

He added, “If hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is the cause, medication can be prescribed to counter that.”

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And, if medication is causing the night sweats, a prescriber can “re-evaluate the condition to look for alternative medication or to adjust the doses,” he said.

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