Swollen lymph nodes Information | Mount Sinai

Swollen glands; Glands – swollen; Lymph nodes – swollen; Lymphadenopathy

Lymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germs, infections, and other foreign substances.

The term “swollen glands” refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes. The medical name for swollen lymph nodes is lymphadenopathy.

In a child, a node is considered enlarged if it is more than 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) wide.

The lymphatic system has two main functions. Its network of vessels, valves, ducts, nodes, and organs helps balance the body’s fluid by draining excess fluid, known as lymph, from the body’s tissue and returning it to the blood after filtering it. Some types of blood cells are also made in the lymph nodes.
The lymphatic system also plays an important role in the body’s immune system.
Infection, even a trivial infection is, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes.
Let’s look at a cut section of a lymph node to see what happens.
Afferent means towards. Afferent lymph vessels bring unfiltered fluids from the body into the lymph node where they are filtered.
Efferent vessels, meaning away from, carry the clean fluid away and back to the bloodstream where it helps form plasma.
When the body is invaded by foreign organisms, the swelling sometimes felt in the neck, armpits, groin, or tonsils comes from the microorganisms trapped inside the lymph nodes.
Eventually, these organisms are destroyed and eliminated by cells that line the node walls. Then the swelling and pain subside.

The lymphatic system filters fluid from around cells. It is an important part of the immune system. When people refer to swollen glands in the neck, they are usually referring to swollen lymph nodes. Common areas where lymph nodes can be easily felt, especially if they are enlarged, are the groin, armpits (axilla), above the clavicle (supraclavicular), in the neck (cervical), and the back of the head just above hairline (occipital).

Swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fatigue and headache are some of the symptoms of mononucleosis, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It is generally self-limiting and most patients can recover in 4 to 6 weeks without medicines.

The lymphatic system is a complex system of fluid drainage and transport, and immune response and disease resistance. Fluid that is forced out of the bloodstream during normal circulation is filtered through lymph nodes to remove bacteria, abnormal cells and other matter. This fluid is then transported back into the bloodstream via the lymph vessels. Lymph only moves in one direction, toward the heart.

Lymph nodes produce immune cells to help fight infection. They also filter the lymph fluid and remove foreign material, such as bacteria and cancer cells. They can become swollen from inflammatory conditions, an abscess, cancer, and most commonly from infection. Common areas where lymph nodes can be felt include the groin, armpit, behind the ears, back of the head, sides of the neck and under the jaw and chin.

Lymph nodes play an important part in the body’s defense against infection. Swelling might occur even if the infection is trivial or not apparent. Swelling of lymph nodes generally results from localized or systemic infection, abscess formation, or malignancy.

Considerations

Common areas where the lymph nodes can be felt (with the fingers) include:

• Groin
• Armpit
• Neck (there is a chain of lymph nodes on either side of the front of the neck, both sides of the neck, and down each side of the back of the neck)
• Under the jaw and chin
• Behind the ears
• On the back of the head

Causes

Infections are the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes. Infections that can cause them include:

• Abscessed or impacted tooth
• Ear infection
• Colds, flu, and other infections
• Swelling (inflammation) of gums (gingivitis)
• Mononucleosis
• Mouth sores
• Sexually transmitted illness (STI)
• Tonsillitis
• Tuberculosis
• Skin infections

Immune or autoimmune disorders that can cause swollen lymph nodes are:

• HIV
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Cancers that can cause swollen lymph nodes include:

• Leukemia
• Hodgkin disease
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Many other cancers may also cause this problem.

Certain medicines can cause swollen lymph nodes, including:

• Seizure medicines, such as phenytoin
• Typhoid immunization

Which lymph nodes are swollen depends on the cause and the body parts involved. Swollen lymph nodes that appear suddenly and are painful are usually due to injury or infection. Slow, painless swelling may be due to cancer or a tumor.

Home Care

Painful lymph nodes are generally a sign that your body is fighting an infection. The soreness usually goes away in a couple of days without treatment. The lymph node may not return to its normal size for several weeks.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if:

• Your lymph nodes do not get smaller after several weeks or they continue to get larger.
• They are red and tender.
• They feel hard, irregular, or fixed in place.
• You have fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.
• Any node in a child is larger than 1 centimeter (a little less than half inch) in diameter.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your medical history and symptoms. Examples of questions that may be asked include:

• When the swelling began
• If the swelling came on suddenly
• Whether any nodes are painful when pressed

The following tests may be done:

• Blood tests, including liver function tests, kidney function tests, and CBC with differential
• Lymph node biopsy
• Chest x-ray
• Liver-spleen scan

Treatment depends on the cause of the swollen nodes.

Tower RL, Camitta BM. Lymphadenopathy. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 517.

Winter JN. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 159.

Last reviewed on: 1/29/2022

Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Swollen lymph nodes – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Swollen lymph nodes usually occur as a result of infection from bacteria or viruses. Rarely, swollen lymph nodes are caused by cancer.

Your lymph nodes, also called lymph glands, play a vital role in your body’s ability to fight off infections. They function as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria and other causes of illnesses before they can infect other parts of your body. Common areas where you might notice swollen lymph nodes include your neck, under your chin, in your armpits and in your groin.

Lymph node locations

Your lymph nodes play a vital role in your body’s ability to fight off infections. Common areas where you might notice swollen lymph nodes include your neck, under your chin, in your armpits and in your groin.

Swollen lymph nodes

One of the most common places to find swollen lymph nodes is in the neck. The inset shows three swollen lymph nodes below the lower jaw.

In some cases, the passage of time and warm compresses may be all you need to treat swollen lymph nodes. If an infection causes swollen lymph nodes, treatment depends on the cause.

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Symptoms

Your lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels and lymph nodes situated throughout your body. Many lymph nodes are located in your head and neck region. Lymph nodes that frequently swell are in this area, as well as in your armpits and groin area.

Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong somewhere in your body. When your lymph nodes first swell, you might notice:

• Tenderness and pain in the lymph nodes
• Swelling that may be the size of a pea or kidney bean, or even larger in the lymph nodes

Depending on the cause of your swollen lymph nodes, other signs and symptoms you might have include:

• Runny nose, sore throat, fever and other indications of an upper respiratory infection
• General swelling of lymph nodes throughout your body. When this occurs, it may indicate an infection, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or mononucleosis, or an immune system disorder, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Hard, fixed, rapidly growing nodes, indicating a possible cancer or lymphoma
• Fever
• Night sweats

When to see a doctor

Some swollen lymph nodes return to normal when the underlying condition, such as a minor infection, gets better. See your doctor if you’re concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes:

• Have appeared for no apparent reason
• Continue to enlarge or have been present for two to four weeks
• Feel hard or rubbery, or don’t move when you push on them
• Are accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss

Seek immediate medical care if you’re having difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Causes

Lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped clusters of cells. Inside lymph nodes are a combination of different types of immune system cells. These specialized cells filter your lymphatic fluid as it travels through your body and protect you by destroying invaders.

Lymph nodes are located in groups, and each group drains a specific area of your body. You may be more likely to notice swelling in certain areas, such as in the lymph nodes in your neck, under your chin, in your armpits and in your groin. The site of the swollen lymph nodes may help identify the underlying cause.

The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is an infection, particularly a viral infection, such as the common cold. Other possible causes of swollen lymph nodes include:

Common infections

• Strep throat
• Measles
• Ear infections
• Infected (abscessed) tooth
• Mononucleosis
• Skin or wound infections, such as cellulitis
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — the virus that causes AIDS

Uncommon infections

• Tuberculosis
• Certain sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis
• Toxoplasmosis — a parasitic infection resulting from contact with the feces of an infected cat or eating undercooked meat
• Cat scratch fever — a bacterial infection from a cat scratch or bite

Immune system disorders

• Lupus — a chronic inflammatory disease that targets your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs
• Rheumatoid arthritis — a chronic inflammatory disease targeting the tissue that lines your joints (synovium)

Cancers

• Lymphoma — cancer that originates in your lymphatic system
• Leukemia — cancer of your body’s blood-forming tissue, including your bone marrow and lymphatic system
• Other cancers that have spread (metastasized) to lymph nodes

Other possible but rare causes include certain medications, such as the anti-seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin) and preventive medications for malaria.

Complications

If infection is the cause of your swollen lymph nodes and isn’t treated, an abscess may form. Abscesses are localized collections of pus caused by infections. Pus contains fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other invaders. An abscess may require drainage and antibiotic treatment.

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Thyroid functions

Location and size of the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, slightly
below the Adam’s apple. It covers the trachea, as if
butterfly spread its wings. Its size is about 4 cm
in height and weight up to 20 g.
The thyroid gland is a very thin and soft organ. IN
Normally, it cannot be detected
touching the neck, but even a slight swelling is good
palpable. Larger swelling is clearly visible
to the naked eye.

The body produces different types of hormones (female
hormones, male hormones, adrenal hormones, etc.).
Organs that produce hormones are called endocrine
organs, and the thyroid gland is one of them. Her
function is to produce thyroid hormones from
iodine contained in food (mainly in marine
algae).

What are thyroid hormones

Food proteins, fats and
carbohydrates are metabolized and used
as materials for tissue formation or as
energy for the body. Thyroid hormones function
stimulation or intensification of these metabolic processes
substances. In addition, they play an important role in the development of the fetus and
the growth of the child’s body.

There are two types of thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4),
containing four iodine atoms, and triiodothyronine (T3) containing
three iodine atoms.

The thyroid gland produces mainly
Thus, T4, which is transformed into T3 in the liver and other
organs and performs its function as a hormone.

Most T4 and T3 are bound to plasma proteins.
The hormones that act in the body are free T4 (Free
T4=FT4) and free T3 (Free T3=FT3), not associated with proteins
blood, which are tested in a blood test.

Functions of the pituitary gland

The body has a mechanism to maintain
almost constant level of thyroid hormones in
blood. This system is controlled by thyroid stimulating hormone.
(TSH), which is produced by part of the brain –
pituitary gland. This hormone has the function of stimulating
thyroid gland and inducing the production of thyroid
hormones (T4, T3).

If the level of thyroid hormones (T4, T3) in the blood
becomes too high, the amount allocated
pituitary TSH decreases, which reduces the production of T4 and
T3. On the other hand, with a decrease in the concentration of T4 and T3 in
the amount of TSH secreted in the blood increases, stimulating
secretion of T4 and T3. This system is called the “mechanism
feedback” and constantly regulates the level of thyroid
hormones in the blood within a certain range.

harmless to very dangerous

Difficult to swallow, scratchy in throat, swollen lymph nodes, suspicious bumps appear: any changes in the neck frighten and make you worry. Some of them are actually harmless, but there are those that just scream about serious problems in the body.

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Oncological diseases

Health problems

thyroid

The basis of the neck is the cervical vertebrae, in addition, it contains the thyroid gland, which performs the most important functions in the body, large blood vessels pass through, there are lymph nodes, it also houses the esophagus and trachea.

Contents of the article

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

In general, it is here that many important organs and parts of organs are concentrated, and therefore, one must be especially attentive to changes affecting this part of the body. Changes in the neck can be very different – these can be small or rather large bumps that can be felt from the outside, discomfort when swallowing, coughing and sore throat. We found out which symptoms are usually not associated with serious problems, and which should alert and become a reason to see a doctor.

Lump on the neck

One of the important organs located in the neck is the thyroid gland. It is not possible to see it from the outside, but it is quite possible to notice that it has increased in size.

An enlarged thyroid gland looks like a lump on the neck, which may be centrally located in the lower part of the neck or slightly to the side. Often this tumor moves when swallowing.

If a bump appears on the neck, the reasons can be very different: most often it is a benign formation, which, however, can interfere with swallowing, speaking and breathing. The appearance of a bump on the neck is definitely a reason to see a doctor.

Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck are a common symptom that accompanies many colds. Indeed, even in childhood, mother or grandmother felt the lymph nodes in the neck when we complained of a sore throat and other unpleasant symptoms.

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But swollen lymph nodes in the neck are not always so harmless. The reason may be much more serious, for example, related to oncology. Too large lymph nodes can appear in some forms of neck cancer, as well as in oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer, which can develop due to the human papillomavirus.

If earlier such forms of cancer were quite rare, then in the last decade, doctors have noted a rapid increase – the frequency of diagnosing such forms of cancer has increased by more than 200 percent. In general, if the lymph nodes are enlarged, and you do not observe any cold symptoms, go to the doctor and be examined.

Your whole neck is swollen

Does your neck seem to be swollen all over and almost doubled in size? This sometimes really happens, and it is especially disturbing to see this in the morning, when nothing caused concern in the evening.

General swelling of the neck may occur due to dental problems. An untreated tooth is a source of infection in the body, bacteria can easily enter the bloodstream, which will cause a strong increase in lymph nodes, due to which the entire neck will look swollen. A visit to the dentist, who will heal the tooth and cope with the infection, most often helps to solve the problem.

Lump in the throat

The causes of the feeling of “lump in the throat” can be different. This may be due to infectious colds, thyroid disorders, and oncological diseases.

But a lump in the throat is not always a sign of these diseases. Often this is a subjective sensation that interferes with normal swallowing, eating, breathing and speaking, despite the fact that there is no real barrier or seal in the neck.

A sensation of a lump in the throat often occurs in anxious people who are easily excitable, subject to stress and emotional upheavals. Have you noticed such a tendency? Contact a neurologist and a psychotherapist, such features can lead not only to someone in the throat, but also to other health problems – insomnia, depression, panic attacks. You definitely don’t need it and will complicate your life.

Sore throat

Sore throat is a typical cold syndrome. We sneeze, cough, itchy in the throat, everything seems to be fine, especially if this condition is accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes, runny nose, fever. In this case, making a diagnosis will not be a problem.

But what to do if there are no signs of colds, and itching in the throat? There can be several reasons:

• an allergic reaction to food or environmental factors, such as dust or smell;
• severe stress on the vocal cords, which can occur if you have to talk a lot and for a long time;
• problems with the digestive system: sounds strange and unusual, but it’s real. Tickle can be due to gastritis, peptic ulcers and other problems that cause an increase in acidity.
• disorders of the thyroid gland: perspiration may be associated with the formation of a node that really interferes with swallowing. In addition, such a condition will be accompanied by severe weakness, sleep disturbances and loss of appetite.