Swollen lymph nodes: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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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.

Watch this video about:Lymph nodes

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

• Lymph nodes
• Lymphatic system
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Circulation of lymph
• Lymphatic system
• Swollen glands

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.

Updated 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, and More

Lymph nodes are small glands that filter lymph, the clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system. During an infection, they accumulate bacteria, or dead or diseased cells.

When a person has an infection, they may notice swollen lymph nodes in part of the body near the infection site, such as their neck, armpit, jaw, or groin.

For instance, a person with a sore throat due to COVID-19 may have swollen lymph nodes in their neck. They may also have other symptoms of an infection, such as coughing, fatigue, and fever.

Cancer that develops in or spreads to the lymph nodes may also be swollen. In this case, the reason for swelling may be a tumor.

In this article, find out more about why lymph nodes become swollen, what it might mean, and when to see a doctor.

The lymphatic system consists of channels throughout your body that are similar to blood vessels. Lymph nodes are small glands that filter lymph, the clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system.

Lymph nodes are located throughout the body. They can be found underneath the skin in many areas, including:

• in the armpits
• under the jaw
• above the collarbone
• on either side of the neck
• on either side of the groin

Lymph nodes store white blood cells, which are responsible for killing invading organisms.

They also act like a checkpoint. When bacteria, viruses, and abnormal or diseased cells pass through the lymph channels, the lymph nodes detect and stop them.

When faced with an infection or illness, the lymph nodes accumulate debris, such as bacteria and dead or diseased cells.

Lymphadenopathy is another name for swelling in the lymph nodes. Symptoms that may be present along with swollen lymph nodes in the neck, for instance, are:

• coughing
• fatigue
• fever
• chills
• runny nose
• sweating

Swollen lymph nodes in the groin may occur with a pelvic infection. They can cause pain when walking or bending.

Swollen lymph nodes are one sign that your lymphatic system is working to rid your body of infection and illness.

Infections

Lymph nodes swell when an infection occurs in the area where they’re located. For example, the lymph nodes in the neck can become swollen in response to an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold.

Lymph nodes that swell due to an infection may be painful.

Swollen lymph nodes in the head and neck may stem from infections such as:

• ear infection
• sinus infection
• the flu
• strep throat
• mononucleosis (mono)
• tooth infection, including an abscessed tooth
• skin infection
• HIV

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis or gonorrhea can bring about lymph node swelling in the groin area.

Other possible causes include:

• cat scratch fever
• tonsillitis
• toxoplasmosis
• tuberculosis
• shingles

Noninfectious causes

Serious conditions, such as immune system disorders or cancers, can cause lymph nodes throughout the body to swell.

Immune system disorders that cause the lymph nodes to swell include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Any cancers that spread in the body can cause the lymph nodes to swell. When cancer from one area spreads to the lymph nodes, the survival rate decreases. Lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system, also causes the lymph nodes to swell.

Cancers that can cause swollen lymph nodes include:

• leukemia
• Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Sézary syndrome, a rare type of lymphoma

Other causes of swollen lymph nodes include, but aren’t limited to:

• some medications, such as antiseizure and antimalarial drugs
• allergic reactions to medications
• stress
• gingivitis
• mouth sores

What happens when cancer spreads to the lymph nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes can be as small as peas or as large as cherries.

They can be painful to the touch, or they can hurt when you make certain movements.

Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or on either side of the neck may hurt when you turn your head in a certain way or you’re chewing food. They can often be felt simply by running your hand over your neck just below your jawline. They may be tender as well.

Learn more about lymph node inflammation.

If you’ve recently become ill or had an injury, let a doctor know. This information is vital in helping them determine the cause of your symptoms.

The doctor will also ask you about your medical history. Since certain diseases or medications can cause swollen lymph nodes, giving your medical history helps them find a diagnosis.

After you discuss the symptoms with the doctor, they’ll perform a physical examination.

This consists of:

• checking the size of your lymph nodes
• feeling them to see if they’re tender
• checking the consistency, whether they are hard and firm versus soft and moveable
• discussing whether they have changed or become larger over time

After the physical examination, blood tests may be ordered to check for certain diseases.

If necessary, the doctor may order an imaging test to further evaluate the lymph node or other areas of your body that may have caused the lymph node to swell. Common imaging tests used to check lymph nodes include:

• X-rays
• ultrasounds
• CT scans

If the above tests suggest the need for further evaluation, the doctor may order an MRI.

In certain cases, even further testing may be needed following the MRI. In this case, the doctor may order a lymph node biopsy. This is a minimally invasive test that consists of using thin, needle-like tools to remove a sample of cells from the lymph node. The cells are then sent to a laboratory where they’re tested for major diseases, such as cancer.

If necessary, the doctor may remove the entire lymph node.

Swollen lymph nodes may become smaller on their own without any treatment. In some cases, the doctor may wish to monitor them without treatment.

In the case of an infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics or antiviral medications to eliminate the condition responsible for the swollen lymph nodes. Your doctor might also recommend medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Swollen lymph nodes caused by cancer may not shrink back to their usual size until the cancer is treated. Cancer treatment may involve removing the tumor or any affected lymph nodes. It may also involve chemotherapy to shrink the tumor.

Your doctor will discuss which treatment option is best for you.

The only way to prevent swollen lymph nodes is to prevent the conditions that may cause them. Some steps you can take are below:

• Practice proper dental hygiene to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Get vaccinated against conditions such as shingles, tuberculosis, and the flu.
• Avoid sharing food, beverages, or personal items such as towels with anyone who has a contagious infection such as mono or a cold.
• Use condoms or other barrier methods during sexual activity.
• Ask your doctor about switching your medications if you’re having an adverse or allergic reaction.
• Avoid feral cats or letting your pet cats play outdoors.

If you experience any of the symptoms that sometimes accompany swollen lymph nodes, or if you have painful swollen lymph nodes and no other symptoms, talk with a doctor. Lymph nodes that are swollen but not tender can be signs of a serious problem.

In some cases, the swollen lymph node will get smaller as other symptoms go away. If a lymph node is swollen and painful or if the swelling lasts more than a few days, also see a doctor.

When should you worry about a swollen lymph node?

You should seek medical advice if lymph nodes:

• are very swollen
• are becoming bigger
• either are tender or are not tender
• do not resolve within a few days
• occur with other symptoms you have concerns about

What is the main cause of swollen lymph nodes?

Most cases of swollen lymph nodes occur alongside an infection. They are a sign that the body is fighting the infection and stopping it from causing serious harm in the body.

In rare cases, swollen lymph nodes made be a sign of cancer, including lymphoma or leukemia. These lymph nodes tend to not be tender and not associated with an obvious infection or injury.

They may also occur with autoimmune conditions, such as lupus.

Are swollen lymph nodes serious?

In most cases, swollen lymph nodes are not serious but indicate that the immune system is doing its job. However, they can indicate an infection that needs medical attention.

Persistent swelling in the lymph nodes that occurs without other signs of an infection can indicate some types of cancer.

What does a swollen lymph feel like?

You may be able to feel a swollen lymph node with your fingers, although this is not always possible, as some are quite deep in the body or do not swell enough to become noticeable.

Sometimes, there is pain with the swelling, or it may be painful, for example, to turn the head.

Swelling without pain may be a sign of a tumor. Under the arm, it may indicate that breast cancer is spreading.

Swollen lymph nodes are usually a sign of an infection somewhere in the body. You may notice swelling and tenderness, for instance, in the neck, groin, or armpits, alongside other symptoms, such as a sore throat.

Swelling in the lymph nodes can occur with some types of cancer, such as lymphoma, leukemia, and breast cancer. If you have concerns about swollen lymph nodes, it is best to seek medical help, especially if the swelling persists or if you have other worrisome symptoms.

Read this article in Spanish.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.

Removal of throat tonsils (tonsillectomy)

Treatment of tonsillitis, the so-called tonsillitis, in our Center is a safe, individually tailored solution that will help you get rid of the symptoms characteristic of tonsillitis.

Chronic tonsillitis is characterized by: recurring purulent tonsillitis, in which antibiotics often have to be taken. Chronic fatigue, joint pain, heart failure, high temperature of unknown origin (up to 38 degrees), enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Blood indicators indicating inflammation.
In the absence of an exacerbation, the disease may be asymptomatic.

Acute tonsillitis is characterized by: Severe sore throat, especially when swallowing, which may radiate to the ear. High temperature (above 38.5 degrees). Enlarged and painful when feeling the lymph nodes of the neck. Red, enlarged throat tonsils, with or without purulent coating.

Treatment : in acute viral infection caused by tonsillitis, bed rest, plenty of fluids and treatment to relieve symptoms are recommended. If acute sore throat is caused by a bacterium, antibacterial treatment (antibiotics), bed rest, and antipyretic and/or pain medications are prescribed.
If angina recurs often, then a more thorough examination is necessary (ASLO blood test, culture sampling from the throat tonsils), after which the ENT doctor decides on the need for an operation to remove the throat tonsils.
A more detailed examination is also recommended for patients who suffer from chronic diseases of the joints, heart, skin, thyroid gland and kidneys. In this case, the throat tonsils (tonsil-shaped glands) may be the focus of chronic infection, although the patient may not suffer from acute angina.

If chronic tonsillitis, angina recurs more than 3-4 times a year, or there is a suspicion that the focus associated with other diseases (heart, joints, kidneys, skin, thyroid gland) is located in the throat tonsils (the so-called angina ), surgery is recommended.

You can usually carry out daily activities that do not require much physical activity the day after the operation, but you must strictly adhere to the regimen prescribed by the doctor and a strict diet for two weeks. Flying is not recommended until the wounds in the larynx have healed (about 2 weeks), as there is an increased chance of bleeding.
After the operation to remove the throat tonsils, you will feel comfortable and will be able to avoid recurring purulent tonsillitis.

More about the operation

The cost of the operation to remove the throat tonsils (tonsillectomy)

The price includes consultation, necessary tests and surgery.

Medical consultation

€

What do prices depend on?

Duration – up to 30 min.

• Examination of ears, throat, nose.
• Research.
• Discussion of surgery and postoperative care.

Culture of throat secretions

€

What do prices depend on?

Duration – 1 min.

• Smear sampling in the ENT doctor’s office.
• The answer is in 3-7 days.
• Extracts of other necessary studies, with the exception of ultrasound, the patient can bring from other institutions or make them at the Center for 1 day.

Blood test Antistreptolysin O (ASLO)

€

What do prices depend on?

Duration – up to 1-10 minutes.

• Carried out in the treatment room.
• Answer – within 2 hours.

Tonsilectomy, tonsillectomy

under general anesthesia

€

What do prices depend on?

You will spend a day in the clinic.

• Getting rid of the focus of chronic infection.
• Improves breathing.
• You will be able to work at the computer in an hour.

What determines the cost?

The indicated prices are valid for citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and the European Union.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact the specified phone numbers or e-mail for specific information. mail.

More about prices

What you need to know about the operation

The course of the operation to remove the throat tonsils (tonsillectomy)

Before the operation, the patient must be perfectly healthy – not even get sick with a runny nose. Blood tests should be normal.

Tonsilectomy (tonsillectomy) is performed under general anesthesia. A gag is inserted into the mouth, an incision is made at the anterior arch of the palate, the palatine tonsils are separated with a special tool and removed. Bleeding is stopped by clamping for several minutes with cotton swabs and/or by cauterization with an electrocautery.
This is one of the most common operations performed by our ENT doctors, although it is more complex than the removal of adenoids.

Duration – about 1 hour, including preparation (the operation lasts about 30-45 minutes).
Time spent in the hospital – 1-3 days, a dropper is placed, painkillers are injected.
Children become alert a few hours after surgery.
The healing process takes longer than after adenoid surgery.

If you have arrived from another country, we recommend that you stay in Lithuania for up to 14 days, if possible, until the wounds heal, so that you can receive emergency medical assistance if, for example, severe bleeding begins. The highest probability of bleeding is 7-10 days after surgery, when fibrin (a scab on the mucous membrane) begins to separate from the mucous membrane.
For adults, a bulletin is recommended for 7-10 days after surgery, for children – 14 days.

What you need to know after adenoid surgery

The doctors of our Center recommend:

• Avoid physical activity, sexual relations, do not sunbathe (in a solarium), do not go to the sauna, do not warm up too much (hot bath), do not brush your molars – 2 weeks.
• Warm (not hot), tender, soft foods are recommended. The first day after the operation, liquid, pureed food is recommended.
• Hot, spicy, salty, baked, smoked foods, hot and carbonated drinks, alcohol are contraindicated for 2 weeks.
• For pain, take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by your doctor.
• If the temperature rises above 38 °C, seek medical attention, who may prescribe antibiotics.

4 reasons

why you should choose us

• We can perform the operation the next day after the initial consultation.
• You can go home the day after the operation.
• Rate of hospital infections over the past 5 years – 0.
• Experienced doctors consulting and operating not only in our Center, but also in the largest university clinics in the country.

Doctors

Tamoshaitene Inga

Otolaryngologist (ENT doctors), Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT doctor)

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Tolochka Rimvidas

Otolaryngologist (ENT doctor), Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT doctor)

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Blue glow of the thyroid gland

March 13, 2019

The first half of my life since the age of 5 I have been professionally engaged in music. My father is a member of the Association of Composers of the Chechen Republic and the Russian Federation. I specialized more in individual vocals (I knew more than one opera aria by heart), although I really like choral singing. The fact that music harmonizes, heals – I always knew that. During my studies at the music lyceum, I did not have the flu and very rarely had acute respiratory infections.

In diseases of pneumonia and bronchitis “was not noticed at all”. By the way, the “wonderful properties” of sounds and melodies have always attracted oriental medicine. What am I talking about? This post is about the benefits of singing.

Singing is a simple, effective way to improve the work, especially of the thyroid gland. I explain – the thyroid organ is “responsible” for emotions, sensitivity, it has a powerful blood flow (comparable to the blood flow of the brain) and is located in the Vishuddha-chakra zone – the zone of energy-information exchange and harmony (of the body and thoughts). Therefore, with any negative emotions, especially if a person does not know how to pronounce them, let them go, he tends to close them in himself, take offense – thyroid diseases arise: nodes, cysts, diffuse toxic goiter, etc.

Why do we need to sing? Singing is a powerful source of joy, just look how cheerful karaoke people are usually, even if they cannot sing at all – this is an expression of emotion through sound, if a person cannot let go of emotion with words – let him “let go” with sound. Singing stimulates the production of dopamine and endorphins – “happy hormones” (as we call them). A man is happy – he expresses himself.

Physically (mechanically) – singing causes movement of the larynx, and since the thyroid gland is close to the larynx, when singing, there is a good stimulation of the thyroid gland and an improvement in its blood flow! He especially likes iron notes – fa, salt, re, in case of thyroid diseases, you can sing them separately, pull the sound longer, try to vibrate it. It is better to sing loudly, but without straining, do not sing in the cold.

It is especially important to sing fear – it causes a strong spasm of the muscles of the larynx (deterioration of blood flow, including in the thyroid gland) and a common complaint of “a lump in the throat.” If the fear is so great that it is difficult to cope with it yourself, it is better to contact a neurologist or psychotherapist.

Harmonizes the functioning of the thyroid gland and birdsong. You should listen, for example, to a nightingale or a swallow, you can put birdsong in the playlist and listen during the day, because we have become so far from nature, and winter in our region is “endless”.

You may ask – does a normal conversation harmonize the thyroid gland? Partially. There is no corresponding vibration and frequency of sound during pronunciation, professional singers, for example, are advised to speak minimally, especially before the performance (but this is somewhat different).

The thyroid gland is a very positive organ – it also “rules” all the energy exchange in the body, so never fixate on bad emotions for a long time – pull yourself out of them, the longer you sit in depression or just a low mood – the worse the thyroid gland can become. the thyroid gland “loves” bright colors – blue and orange. If you do not want to wear such bright clothes, spread out at least sofa cushions of this color or curtains around the house – any textiles or a picture.

It might seem to someone – what kind of nonsense did I write? But the growth of thyroid diseases is spreading so fast that it makes you think … it is already becoming impossible to “write off” everything on the environment, lack of iodine, and so on. L-thyroxine, a drug for the treatment of thyroid gland, is in the world ranking of drug sales in 3rd place! What is proposed – every 3rd “feed” with hormones?

Do you like it? To me – no. And yet, answering the main philosophical question, what is primary – consciousness or matter? I am sure that consciousness (spirit).