Swollen lymph nodes usually occur as a result of exposure to bacteria or viruses. When the swollen lymph nodes are caused by infection, this is known as lymphadenitis. The cause of swollen lymph nodes can also occur due to cancer.
The function of your lymph nodes plays an important role in the body's ability to fight viruses, bacteria and other causes of disease. Location of swollen lymph nodes that are common in some places in your body, namely swollen lymph nodes in your neck, swollen lymph nodes in your armpit, under your chin, also in your groin.
Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong somewhere in your body. When your lymph nodes swell at first, you may be able to see and feel the characteristic features of lymph node disease at the beginning of the swelling:
- Soft and painful.
- Lumps of lymph nodes that may be the size of peas or peanuts, or even larger.
Depending on the cause of your swollen lymph nodes and symptoms of your lymph node disease, other signs and symptoms you may experience include:
- Colds, sore throats, fever and other indications of respiratory tract infections
- Swollen lymph nodes can generally occur throughout your body - which may indicate infections, such as symptoms of HIV or mononucleosis, or immune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Swollen limbs, may indicate a blockage of the lymphatic system caused by swelling in the lymph nodes too far beneath your skin
- Hardening and swelling develop rapidly, indicating the likelihood of growth of lymph node tumors
- Fever
- Sweating at night
Some enlarged lymph nodes may return to normal under the underlying conditions, such as small infections. However, see your lymph node general doctor if you are concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes are as follows:
- It has appeared for no apparent reason
- Continue to grow or have appeared for two to four weeks
- Feels hard or supple, or it hurts when you press it
- Accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats or unknown weight loss
- Accompanied by a sore throat or difficulty swallowing and breathing
Definition of lymph nodes
Lumps of small, round or pea-like lymph nodes are a group of closed cells such as by a connective tissue capsule. These cells are a combination of lymphocytes - which produce protein particles that capture viruses and macrophages, which break down the material taken. Lymphocytes and macrophages filter out your lymphatic fluids as they travel through your body and protect you by destroying bacteria or viruses.
Lymph nodes are in groups, and each group is in a certain area of your body. You tend to be able to see swelling in certain areas, such as swollen lymph nodes in your crotch, under your chin, in the armpit and in the groin. The area of inflammation of the lymph nodes can help identify underlying causes.
The cause of lymph node disease is generally an infection, especially viral infections, like the common cold. However, there are other types of lymph node infections, including possible causes are parasites and bacteria, and others. These include:
Common infections
- Sore throat
- Measles
- Ear infections
- Infected teeth (abscess)
- Mononucleosis
- Skin or wound infections, such as cellulitis or erysipelas
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - a virus that causes AIDS
Infrequent infections
- Tuberculosis
- Certain sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis
- Toxoplasmosis - a parasitic infection resulting from contact with infected cat feces or eating undercooked meat
Immune system disorders
- Lupus - a chronic disease infection that can target joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs
- Rheumatoid arthritis - a chronic disease infection that targets tissues that line the joints (synovium)
Cancer
- Lymphomas - cancer that originates in your lymphatic system
- Leukemia - the cancer of your body's blood-forming tissue, including the bone marrow and lymphatic system
- Other cancers that have spread (metastasized) become cancerous lymph nodes
Probably, but rarely Other causes are certain medications, such as anti-seizure drug phenytoin (Dilantin), and drugs prevent malaria, not a cure for lymph node disease.
If infection is the cause of swollen lymph nodes and is not treated, these complications may occur:
- Formation of an abscess. An abscess is a collection of pus caused by an infection. Puskes contain fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue and bacteria or other attackers. Abscesses may require drainage and antibiotic treatment. Abscesses can cause significant damage if they occur in vital organs.
- Blood flow infections (bacteremia). Bacterial infections anywhere in your body can develop into sepsis, caused by severe infections of the bloodstream. Sepsis can cause organ failure and death. Treatment with intravenous hospitalization and antibiotics.
If you have swollen lymph nodes, you may start by first seeing a doctor. However, when you call for a report, you may be advised to seek medical treatment immediately if you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
To diagnose what causes the swelling and the danger of your problematic lymph nodes, your doctor needs to:
- Your medical history. In addition, doctors want to know when and how about your developing lymph nodes and whether you experience any other signs or symptoms.
- Examination of lymph nodes on the physical. Your doctor will also check the lymph nodes near the surface of your skin. The location of lymph nodes and other signs and symptoms will provide clues to the underlying cause.
- Blood test. Depending on what doctor causes swollen lymph nodes, certain blood tests can be performed to confirm or exclude suspected conditions. Special tests will depend on the underlying cause, but will most likely include a complete blood count, which helps evaluate your overall health and detect a variety of disorders, including infections and leukemia.
- Imaging studies. An X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) examination of the affected lymph node position can help determine the potential source of infection or find a tumor.
- Biopsy of lymph nodes. If your doctor can not make a diagnosis, it may help to remove samples from lymph nodes or even entire lymph nodes for microscopic examination. In some cases, you may need an excisional biopsy. This type of biopsy is also called a surgical biopsy that removes some or all of the lymph nodes through the incision for analysis. A surgeon performs this procedure when using local or general anesthesia.
How to treat swollen lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes caused by viruses may return to normal after resolving viral infections. Antibiotics are not useful for treating viral infections. Lymph node disease and its treatment depends on the cause:
- Infection. The most common treatment for swollen lymph nodes caused by bacterial infections is antibiotics. If your lymph node disease is due to HIV infection, you will receive treatment for that condition.
- Immune disorders. If your swollen lymph nodes are the result of certain conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, treatment is directed at the underlying conditions.
- Cancer. Swelling caused by cancer will require treatment for cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, treatment for lymph node cancer growth may involve lymph nodes, radiation or chemotherapy surgery.