Swollen tongue lymph nodes: Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, tongue, dangerous?
Symptoms of lymphoedema | Coping with cancer
The most common symptom of lymphoedema is swelling. Some people also feel heaviness or aching in the affected area.
Lymphoedema symptoms related to cancer treatment might develop when:
- the cancer blocks a lymph node or some lymph vessels
- you have treatment for cancer to remove lymph nodes. Or treatment that damages the lymph nodes or part of the lymphatic system
Symptoms can appear at any time after cancer treatment.
It is usual to have some swelling around the surgical site after surgery. This should begin to settle soon after your surgery. Let your nurse or doctor know if the swelling does not go down or comes back.
What is lymphoedema?
Lymph fluid is in all body tissues. It comes from the tiny blood vessels into the body tissues. Normally it drains back into the bloodstream through channels called lymph vessels. These are part of the lymphatic system.
Blocked, removed or damaged lymph drainage channels or lymph nodes cause a build up of lymph fluid. This is the swelling called lymphoedema.
First symptoms of lymphoedema
One of the first symptoms you might notice is swelling in part of the body. Your clothes, shoes, or jewellery may become tighter.
Other symptoms can include:
- a feeling of heaviness in the area affected
- tightness, stiffness or aching in the affected area. You might feel this before you develop any swelling
- tingling feeling in the area. This symptom is less common
The swelling may be soft and easy to push in with your fingers, leaving a dent (called pitting oedema). The swelling may also be non-pitting.
There are other reasons why people develop swelling. But if you notice any swelling that doesn’t go away, contact your doctor.
Symptoms of lymphoedema in the head and neck
After surgery to remove some or all the lymph nodes in your neck or radiotherapy to lymph nodes in your neck, the area can become swollen. This can be due to general swelling. But it can also be a sign of lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema in the head or neck can also cause symptoms inside your mouth and throat. This may include swelling of your tongue and other parts of your mouth.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you:
- have any swelling or a feeling of fullness or pressure
- find it difficult to swallow
- have changes in your voice
Symptoms of lymphoedema in the genital area
Lymphoedema in the genital area can cause a feeling of heaviness.
This can affect the scrotum and penis in men. In women, it can affect the vulva and labia, and lower tummy (pelvis).
Other symptoms that people might have with genital lymphoedema include:
- swelling in one or both legs
- difficulty having a wee
- finding it difficult to move about
These symptoms can affect your sex life due to the discomfort of the swelling.
The skin in the area can feel thicker and harder. And you may be more at risk of developing an infection.
What to do if you have symptoms of lymphoedema
Contact your doctor or specialist nurse if you know you’re at risk of lymphoedema and you have any symptoms. Early treatment can help to control swelling and stop it getting worse. Your doctor or nurse can refer you to a lymphoedema specialist.
Not everyone gets lymphoedema and swelling is not always due to lymphoedema. But it is important to know the signs and symptoms. Lymphoedema can start to develop soon after cancer treatment or it can take longer. This might be months or even years.
The Lymphoedema Support Network can tell you how to get lymphoedema care within the NHS.
The British Lymphology Society has a directory of lymphoedema services.
Severe lymphoedema symptoms
Without treatment, your symptoms might change over time. The swollen area could become more swollen, harder, and more painful.
You might also have:
- pins and needles or tingling
- a numb feeling
- reddening of your skin, which may become hard and stiff
- more difficulty moving the affected area
- pain
- pitting – indents in your skin
- a change in the shape of your arm or leg
- skin infections and a change in the texture of your skin
- watery fluid (lymph fluid) leaking from your skin
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. Treatment can reduce the swelling and make you more comfortable.
Support for you
Lymphoedema can also affect you emotionally. You can get help and support with this, so ask for help from your treatment team if you need it.
Commissioning Guidance for Lymphoedema Services for Adults in the United Kingdom
The National Lymphoedema Partnership, 2019
All-Ireland Lymphoedema Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Assessment and Management of Lymphoedema, 2022.
Prevalence of secondary lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer
J Deng and others
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2012
Volume 43, Issue 2
Diagnosis, treatment, and Quality of Life in Patients with cancer-related lymphedema
I Kalemikerakis and others
JBUON Open Access Journal aimed at the rapid diffusion of scientific knowledge in Oncology, 2021. Volume 26, Issue 5, Pages 1735-1741
Last reviewed:
20 Apr 2023
Next review due:
20 Apr 2026
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Lingual lymph nodes: Anatomy, clinical considerations, and oncological significance
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Lymph Node Under the Jaw Inflamed [9 Reasons] How to Treat Cure Treatment at Home At Home Folk Remedies Kyiv Lumident
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Contents:
- Inflamed lymph node under the jaw
- What to do with inflammation of the lymph node under the jaw?
- Causes of pain in the lymph nodes under the lower jaw
- Symptoms and stages of lymphadenitis
- Types of lymphadenitis of the submandibular lymph node
- Clinical signs of lymphadenitis in mumps
- Lymphadenitis with toxoplasmosis
- Oncological nature of enlarged lymph nodes
- Diagnosis of lymphadenitis
- How to treat an inflamed lymph node under the jaw
- Treatment of submandibular lymphadenitis at home
- How to prevent inflammation of the submandibular lymph node?
Inflamed lymph node under the jaw
- Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system responsible for detecting and destroying pathological microorganisms entering the blood.
- The functions of pea-sized nodules are reduced to acting as a kind of filter that prevents the spread of infection.
- And the case when the lymph node under the jaw (chin) has become inflamed, signals a weakening of the human immune forces and the activation of pathogenic microflora.
- Similar phenomena of inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes among doctors are called lymphadenitis and require careful diagnosis aimed at finding the underlying disease.
- Ignoring the problem or attempting self-treatment can lead to complications and make it difficult to eliminate the pathology.
Photo. Inflammation of the lymph node.
What to do with inflammation of the lymph node under the jaw?
- With inflammatory enlargement of the lymph nodes located in the submandibular region of the neck, it is important to determine the true source of the ongoing process.
- There may be several reasons that affect the state of the lymphatic system – they relate to the health of the teeth and ENT organs.
- At the same time, disorders can be asymptomatic, and before the situation when the submandibular lymph node already hurts, a person may not suspect pain in the throat area about the presence of pathology.
- The use of traditional medicine in the form of herbal decoctions helps to relieve unpleasant symptoms due to inflamed submandibular lymph nodes.
- However, home remedies are considered concomitant methods of facilitating the treatment process, without addressing the underlying cause, due to which the mandibular lymph nodes become inflamed.
- Therefore, if the lymph node under the jaw hurts, it is recommended to visit the doctor’s office.
Causes of pain in the lymph nodes under the lower jaw
Specialists note the prevailing majority of dental pathologies accompanied by inflammation of the lymph nodes – submandibular lymphadenitis.
The remaining cases of inflammation of the mandibular lymph nodes under the chin – relate to lesions of the respiratory system, infections, tumors and immune disorders.
Probable causes include (in descending order of incidence):
- The most common – diseases of the teeth and tissues of the oral cavity – caries, stomatitis, pulpitis, periodontal disease, gingivitis, flux development;
- ENT pathologies – otitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis and laryngitis;
- infectious lesions – mumps, whooping cough, chickenpox and measles;
- autoimmune and immune-affecting pathologies – lupus, leukemia, HIV infection;
- tumors – cysts, granulomas and lipomas;
- pain in the lymph nodes and an increase in their size can be caused by attacks of parasites – toxoplasmosis or lymphoreticulosis;
- submandibular lymph nodes begin to hurt with immune failures in the body.
With the dental nature of inflammation of the lymph nodes, the patient’s discomfort is eliminated as caries or other dental disease is treated.
In some cases, an infection that penetrates into the tissues of the oral cavity after tooth extraction becomes a triggering mechanism.
Symptoms and stages of lymphadenitis
Neither adults nor children are immune from the development of submandibular lymphadenitis.
The initial symptoms do not always appear simultaneously with the start of the inflammatory process in the lymph nodes – the characteristic signs increase gradually, over 3-5 days, depending on the stage of the pathology.
The following stages of inflammation of the lymph nodes are distinguished:
- first – submandibular lymph nodes become mobile dense balls, giving pain when palpated, the process is accompanied by weakness and drowsiness, fever;
- the second – is characterized by the development of a purulent abscess, in which the nodes swell and accumulate pus, the patient feels acute pain and heat;
- the third – is called purulent phlegmon and is accompanied by the spread of the lesion to the axillary lymph nodes, while the skin is cyanotic, the body temperature reaches high levels.
Because of the pain syndrome, it is difficult for a person to swallow and talk, redness and swelling of the skin in the cervical region are observed.
When taking tests, experts find a significant increase in leukocyte counts.
If untreated, unilateral inflammation of the lymph node quickly spreads to the area of the second lymph node.
Painful symptoms increase, patient suffers from insomnia and general debility.
Types of lymphadenitis of the submandibular lymph node
The main causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes under the jaw include:
- upper respiratory tract infections;
- dental pathologies;
- inflammation of the auricle.
If there are problems in the oral cavity, signs are observed:
- deep caries;
- inflammation of the gums;
- other diseases –
– symptoms of inflamed lymph nodes in the parotid region include visible reddening of the outer skin and hyperemia of the mucosa.
Photo. Location of the lymph nodes of the head and neck.
A protracted pathological process leads to the appearance of purulent foci and abscesses – and one ailment can cause the next.
In a weakened immune system, pathological microorganisms are transferred to neighboring tissues and organs.
The following clinical forms of lymphadenitis are distinguished:
- local – damage to the submandibular lymph nodes is observed in one or two areas;
- generalized – simultaneous inflammation of the lymph nodes of several areas, including the submandibular zone and neck.
The severity of the disease of the lymph nodes is affected by the nature of the source of the pathology – the type of bacteria that attacked the patient’s body.
They are:
- E. coli carriers;
- pneumococci;
- staphylococci;
- streptococci;
- enterobacteria.
Their reproduction and activity promote inflammatory reactions in:
- throat;
- ears;
- oral cavity;
- sinuses.
Clinical signs of lymphadenitis in mumps
If the lymph node under the jaw on the right hurts with a simultaneous inflammatory process in the salivary glands and the parotid zone, this is a sign of mumps.
A common ailment can be identified by the appearance of the patient, since the symptomatology is pronounced – the patient visibly swells up:
- lower jaw;
- cervical area;
- area under the earlobes.
Disease accompanied by symptoms:
- headache;
- high temperature;
- nosebleeds;
- hearing impairments;
- difficulty in swallowing and chewing food;
- vomiting and convulsions.
The specific manifestations of mumps include severe swelling of the face, leading to an upward displacement of the earlobes.
Pathology carries the risk of developing dangerous complications in the form:
- pancreatitis;
- meningitis;
- inflammatory processes in the ovaries;
- disorders of the organs of vision and hearing.
Lymphadenitis with toxoplasmosis
Enlarged lymph nodes in the submandibular region may accompany the course of toxoplasmosis, an acquired disease caused by the parasitic toxoplasma.
- Infection occurs when eating pork or beef meat that has not undergone a full heat treatment.
- Common sources of toxoplasmosis include contact with cats and their litter.
In adults, there are no clinical manifestations of the disease, with the exception of changes in the size of the lymph nodes.
In some cases, there may be signs of influenza, accompanied by subfebrile temperature.
Toxoplasmosis does not carry a serious health risk, except for the period of pregnancy – the disease causes developmental abnormalities in the fetus and its death in the early stages of gestation.
The definition of the disease occurs by conducting a blood test for the presence of antibodies.
Treatment for pregnant patients begins in the second trimester and includes medication.
Oncological nature of enlarged lymph nodes
The most dangerous manifestations of lymphadenopathy are malignant tumors characterized by large submandibular nodes.
In the absence of early diagnosis, pathology entails serious consequences up to death.
Oncological hyperplasia develops over several weeks, which makes it possible to detect disorders of the lymphoid tissue in the early stages.
Symptoms of lymphoma include:
- lymphadenopathy – a marked increase in nodes, accompanied by pain and cough;
- secondary signs – fever, night sweats, sudden weight loss;
- spread of cancer to areas of other organs – characterized by different manifestations depending on the area of the lesion.
During the transition of oncology to the area of internal organs, the patient’s bones, spleen, and parts of the brain can be affected.
Manifestations are neurological – the person suffers from:
- visual disturbances;
- headaches;
- vomiting;
- lack of cerebral blood supply.
Photo. Example of enlarged submandibular lymph nodes.
Diagnosis of lymphadenitis
When visiting a doctor with enlarged lymph nodes, an initial examination should be expected – doctor:
- examine the problem visually;
- will palpate the lymphoid tissue in the submandibular area;
- will ask the patient about associated symptoms.
If a pathology of the oral cavity is suspected, the applicant will be referred to:
- to the dentist;
- in case of signs of ENT diseases – to the otolaryngologist.
If the oncological nature of inflammation in the submandibular lymph nodes is suspected, a biopsy will be required – taking tissue cells for analysis of a biopsy containing:
- bacteria;
- leukocytes;
- lymphocytes;
- pathological cells.
Additional examinations may be carried out in parallel:
- ultrasound;
- magnetic resonance imaging.
How to treat an inflamed lymph node under the jaw
Painful inflammation of the lymph node under the lower jaw on the right or left requires examination by a doctor who can:
- refer the patient for an additional examination;
- to prescribe drugs in case of an unequivocal diagnosis.
In case of dental diseases that caused damage to the lymph, the dentist takes the following actions:
- repairs and removes the cause;
- removes pus by incising tissues, followed by the installation of a drain;
- prescribes antibiotics, if necessary, recommends the application of heparin compresses.
Antibacterial drugs are needed to suppress infection that has spread through the circulatory system.
A full course of drug treatment is 10 to 14 days.
Additional activities are physiotherapy procedures that may be recommended by the attending physician.
Treatment of submandibular lymphadenitis at home
Many are wondering how to relieve inflammation of the lymph node under the jaw with folk remedies.
Methods of home therapy for inflamed lymph nodes under the lower jaw are not fundamental – they can reduce pain without eliminating the source of the lesion.
Doctors recommend folk remedies only as an additional method of treating lymph nodes in the submandibular region that have become inflamed.
You can relieve discomfort in the following ways:
- echinacea infusion – dilute the solution and take 15 drops daily;
- decoction of licorice root – a spoonful of the solution, mixed with warm water, is drunk on an empty stomach to cleanse the lymph;
- ginger tea – reduces inflammation caused by dental pathologies.
Effective analgesic and immune-boosting properties noted:
- blueberry teas;
- beet juice;
- decoctions of plantain, lemon balm, calendula, ivy, mint and St. John’s wort.
But it is impossible to cure the inflammatory process without medical assistance from the network of Lumi-Dent dental clinics, exclusively by home self-treatment – without timely drug therapy, the lesion will turn into chronic lymphadenitis.
Photo. Doctor dentist therapist Odarchuk O.V. with a patient.
How to prevent inflammation of the submandibular lymph node?
To predict the possible inflammation of the lymph node under the jaw on the left or right will help to follow simple rules.
- Preventive measures include meticulous oral hygiene and timely visits to the dentist – examinations and rapid elimination of pathologies that have arisen are the main way to protect against painful complications of the submandibular region;
- In order to avoid the development of infectious and other lesions, care should be taken to avoid injury to the jaw and surrounding tissues. If an injury occurs, it is important to carefully treat all scratches and damage with antiseptic compounds.
- At the first symptoms of inflammation in the ear canals, you should immediately contact an ENT specialist. Self-medication methods can lead to the development of deep otitis media with side complications – such diseases require the use of medications.
- The ability of the body to cope with the attacks of viruses and parasites is considered the best way to prevent lymphadenitis. Proper and vitamin-rich nutrition, good rest and respect for health will be the key to strong immunity.
Don’t expect swollen lymph nodes to go away on their own! Most often, the problem of inflammation is in diseased teeth!
Sign up now at Lumi-Dent dental clinics in Kyiv for a free consultation!
Reception conducted
Kukhar Igor Vasilyevich
Dentist therapist
Artemenko Marta Sergeevna
Dentist
Solonchenko Ilya Romanovich
Dentist therapist
Miroshnichenko Diana Vladimirovna
Dentist therapist, periodontist
Dashkovskaya Daria Sergeevna
Dentist periodontist
Okhremenko Vasily Alekseevich
Dentist therapist
Frequently Asked Questions
How to treat lymph nodes in the neck at home?
- First you need to determine the cause of their inflammation, and this can only be done by a qualified doctor;
- If the lymph nodes are submandibular – most likely the culprit is a sick tooth that needs to be cured by a dentist;
- There is no specific method for treating the lymph nodes of the neck at home, since their inflammation is not a separate disease, but a consequence of other problems.
Creation date: 10/06/2021
Date of change: 04/25/2023
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Aytana Sánchez, a patient in the Department of Clinical Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiency at Barcelona Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, tells how she got used to living with her illness.
Aitana’s life has changed in a few months. In June 2018, after a blood test she was ordered for swollen lymph nodes , she visited her pediatrician to find out the result. A doctor at the Primary Care Center explained to a 15-year-old girl and her family that there were significant abnormalities in the analysis and that level immunoglobulins (or antibodies) was very low. For this reason, the doctor referred the patient to the Department of Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiency at the Hospital Sant Joan de Deu Barcelona.
A teenage girl was hospitalized in Sant Joan de Deu a little later, where she underwent hematological, immunological, infectious and diagnostic tests to find the source of the problem. In July, Aitana underwent surgery to examine swollen lymph nodes and rule out lymphoma.
“We were very scared, but from the very beginning they gave us all the information and explained that an operation was needed to rule out other diseases” , recalls Aytana.
Rapid diagnosis is the key to the treatment of the patient
After surgery, lymphoma was ruled out, but it was confirmed that the cause of inflammation of the lymph nodes in Aytana was a viral infection, which was difficult for her body to fight due to a decrease in the level of immunoglobulins and insufficient antibody response . The patient’s diagnosis was also confirmed: common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).
. “As a child, I already had low immunoglobulins in my blood tests and, once, I was admitted to the hospital due to platelet deficiency . I have been treated for growth retardation for several years. The truth is that we didn’t link it to a possible illness,” explains Aytana.
In fact, AVI is the most common symptomatic primary immunodeficiency , a disease that in many cases is not diagnosed until adulthood. According to the patient, she had mild infections and always felt very tired, but neither she nor her family ever suspected that they were symptoms of a possible pathology until Dr. Laya Alsina confirmed the diagnosis…
The cause of this disease in most cases is still not known, although several genetic studies have been carried out regarding this diagnosis. Thanks to the experience of a team of Clinical Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiencies of the Hospital Sant Joan de Deu and other departments of the hospital, it became possible to quickly diagnose and prescribe treatment for Aitana.
“Everything went very quickly and very well, in a short time I already knew what was happening to me and what would be the treatment for immunodeficiency ,” sums up the girl, who claims that she has grown a lot in recent months after the experience.
Home treatment to reduce hospital visits
“The first thing I asked myself was: will I have this illness for the rest of my life?” — Aytana was very worried about her future and the consequences of immunodeficiency for her daily life .