Swollen lymph nodes

Description

Swollen lymph nodes most often occur due to infection by bacteria or viruses. Rarely, the causes of cancer of the lymph nodes swollen.

Lymph nodes, also called lymph glands, play a vital role in the body is able to fight off infections. They function as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria and other causes of illnesses before they can infect other parts of the body. Common areas for swollen lymph nodes include the neck, under the chin, in the armpits, and in the groin.

Sometimes, the time and the warm compresses may be all that is needed to treat inflammation of the lymph nodes. Sometimes,>If an infection that causes inflammation of the lymph nodes, the treatment depends on the infection.

Symptoms

The lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels and lymph nodes throughout the body. Many of lymph nodes in the neck and the head. Lymph nodes often swell. The swelling can be the size of a pea or bean, or more.

Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong in the body. The nodes may also be sensitive and painful.

Depending on the cause of the inflammation of the lymph nodes, other symptoms may include:

  • Runny nose, sore throat, or cough.
  • Inflammation of the lymph nodes throughout the body. When this happens, it could be due to an infection, such as HIV or the mononucleosis, or a condition of the immune system, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Hard fast growth of the nodes that do not move when pushed. These can be caused by a cancer of the lymphatic system, called lymphoma or another type of cancer.
  • Fever.
  • Night sweats.

When to see a doctor

Some swollen lymph nodes return to its normal size when the condition that caused them gets better. Consult your health care professional if you are concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes:

  • Do not have any known reason.
  • To continue to get bigger, or that have been swoll of 2 to 4 weeks.
  • Feel hard or rubbery, or don't move when you press on them.
  • Come with fever, night sweats, or weight loss.
  • Come with a cough that does not improve.
  • Are in your armpit.

Seek medical attention right away if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Causes

Lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped clusters of cells. Within the lymph nodes are a mixture of cell types of the immune system. These cells filter the lymph fluid as it passes through the body and protect the body against invaders.

The lymph nodes are located in groups. Each group drains an area of the body. It might be easier to know if there is swelling in certain areas. These include the lymph nodes in the neck, under the chin, and in the armpits and in the groin. Where the inflammation of the lymph nodes could be to give a clue about the cause of the swelling.

The most common cause of inflammation of the lymph nodes is an infection, usually viral infections, like the common cold. Sometimes, the cause is not found.

Other causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes are:

Common infections

  • Strep throat.
  • Measles.
  • Ear infections.
  • Infected tooth.
  • Mononucleosis.
  • Of the skin or wound infections, such as cellulitis.
  • Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS.

Less common infections

  • Tuberculosis.
  • Certain sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis.
  • A lowerction with a parasite called toxoplasmosis. It is the contact with the feces of an infected cat or eating meat that is not cooked well enough.
  • A bacterial infection from a scratch or bite of a cat called cat scratch fever.

Immune system disorders

  • Lupus. This course, illness, or a chronic disease, which causes swelling and irritation. The swelling and irritation is also called inflammation. Lupus can affect joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. This chronic disease causes inflammation in the tissue that lines the joints. The tissue is called the synovial membrane.
  • Sarcoidosis. This chronic disease that causes the growth of small clusters of inflammatory cells called granulomas. They occur most often in the lungs and lymph nodes.

Cancers

  • The lymphoma. This type of cancer begins in the lymphatic system.
  • Leukemia. This is the cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues. This includes the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.
  • Other cancers that have spread, called metastasis to the lymph nodes.

Other possible but rare causes include certain medications, such as anti-seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin), and medications for the prevention of malaria. Silicone breast implants can also cause inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Risk factors

Many conditions increase the risk of inflammation of the lymph nodes. The factors that increase the risk of having these conditions include:

  • Advanced age. Aging increases the risk of contracting infections, immune system disorders and cancer.
  • High-risk behaviors. Having sex without protection, and the injection of illegal drugs increases the risk of infections, such as HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
  • Weakened immune system. This may be due to a disease or of a medication that suppresses the immune system. Having a weakened immune system increases the risk of infections.

Complications

When an infection that causes inflammation of the lymph nodes is not treated, a collection of pus that can form. These are called abscesses. Pus contains fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria and other invaders. An abscess can be drained and treated with antibiotic.

Swollen lymph nodes

Diagnosis

Find the cause of the inflammation of the lymph node consists of the following:

  • His medical history. This includes how the swollen lymph nodes start and if there are other symptoms.
  • A physical exam. This includes checking the lymph nodes under the skin to see where they are, and how they feel, and how of large, tender and warm they are.
  • Blood tests. A complete blood count (CBC) and other tests can seek the cause of the inflammation of the lymph nodes.
  • The imaging studies. A chest x -ray or ct scan of the affected area may show the sources of infection or to find tumors. Sometimes, a mammogram can be used.
  • Lymph node biopsy. An example of a lymph node or a set of lymph nodes can be removed and sent to a lab for study.

Treatment

The swelling of the lymph nodes caused by a virus that usually goes down after the virus disappears. Antibiotics do not help viral infections. The treatment for inflammation of the lymph nodes from other causes depends on the cause.

  • Infection. The usual treatment for inflammation of the lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection is antibiotics. Inflammation of the lymph nodes are due to infection by HIV in need of treatment for HIV.
  • Disorder of the immune system. The treatment for inflammation of the lymph nodes of conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis targets the cause.
  • Cancer. Nodules caused by cancer require treatment for cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, treatment may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

Self-care

If your swollen lymph nodes are tender or painful, you can get some relief from the following:

  • Apply a hot compress. Dip a cloth in hot water and wring it out. Put it on the affected area.
  • Take a pain reliever that you can get without a prescription.These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Do not give children or teenagers aspirin. Aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a rare life-threatening condition, in children or teenagers who have the flu or chickenpox.

Take a pain reliever that you can get without a prescription. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Do not give children or teenagers aspirin. Aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a rare life-threatening condition, in children or adolescentwho have the flu or chickenpox.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your family health care provider. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they started. Include all the symptoms that I have had since your lymph nodes began to swell.
  • The possible sources of infection. These may include the costs of travel abroad, hiking in areas known to have ticks, eating raw meat, being scratched by a cat, or having of high-risk, sex or sexual intercourse with a new partner.
  • Key medical information, including other conditions. List of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including dosage.
  • List of questions to ask at your appointment.

The presence of swollen lymph nodes, some questions are:

  • What is the cause of my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • I infect other people? How can I reduce the risk?
  • How can I prevent this from happening again?

What to expect from your doctor

Ask your health care professional can do include:

  • Have your lymph nodes increased in size over time?
  • Are the lymph nodes of the tender?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms worse?
  • What makes your symptoms better?
  • Has had regular cervical cancer screening, such as mammograms?

What you can do in the meantime

While you wait for your appointment, if your lymph nodes are painful, try using warm compresses. And you can take a pain reliever that you can get without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, otof it), or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Symptoms and treatment of inflammation of the lymph nodes