What are Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that are part of the lymphatic system. They play a crucial role in your immune system by filtering lymph fluid and trapping viruses, bacteria, and other foreign particles. Lymph nodes are located throughout your body, including your neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin.
What are the causes of swollen lymph nodes?
- A swollen lymph node may be as small as the size of a pea and as large as the size of a cherry.
- Swollen lymph nodes can be painful to the touch, or they may hurt when you perform certain movements.
- Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or on either side of the neck can hurt when you turn your head a certain way or when you chew food. They can often be felt just by running your hand across your neck just below your jawline. They can be tender.
- Other symptoms that may be present with swollen lymph nodes are:
- If you experience any of these symptoms, or if you have painful swollen lymph nodes and no other symptoms, see your doctor. Swollen but non-tender lymph nodes can be a sign of a serious problem, such as cancer.
- Sometimes the swollen lymph node will become smaller as the other symptoms go away. If a lymph node is swollen and painful, or if the swelling lasts more than a couple of days, check with your physician.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat are the Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes
Swollen lymph nodes might be as small as a pea or as large as a cherry. They may feel tender or painful to the touch. Other symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Sore throat or cough
- Red, warm, or swollen skin over the lymph node
How are swollen lymph nodes diagnosed?
Your doctor will start by asking you questions about your medical history and giving you a physical exam. They might get an idea of what causes your glands to swell based on their position in your body.
They may also recommend one of these tests to find out more about what is going on:
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasound: High frequency sound waves are used to allow your doctor to see what is going on inside your body.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( MRI): A strong magnet and radio waves are used to create detailed images of your organs and tissues.
- Biopsy: Lymph node tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.
- PET scan: examines chemical activity in certain parts of your body. This can help identify a variety of conditions like certain cancers, heart disease, and brain disorders. This is done less often.
- CT scan: A series of x-rays are taken from different angles and stitched together to form a more complete image.
What are the treatment options for swollen lymph nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes usually return to normal after the body fights an infection. If the swollen lymph nodes are caused by an underlying condition, your doctor will recommend treatment for those conditions which should reduce the swelling. This includes:
- Antibiotics if the swelling is caused by a bacterial infection.
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy if the swollen nodes are caused by cancer.
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Book an AppointmentWhen to visit a Doctor?
Some swollen lymph nodes return to normal when the underlying condition, such as a minor infection, improves. See your doctor if you are worried or if your swollen lymph nodes:
- Have appeared for no apparent reason
- Continue to expand or be present for two to four weeks
- You feel hard or rubbery, or don't move when you press on it
- Are accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss
Seek medical attention immediately if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
What are some home remedies to cure swollen lymph nodes?
Home remedies to treat symptoms of swollen lymph nodes include:
- taking over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- applying a warm, moist compress on the affected area
- drinking lots of fluids, like water and fresh juices
- rest to help the body recover from illness
