Swollen Lymph Nodes: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
What is Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes is a condition that occurs when there is swollen in a lump of small, round tissue scattered throughout your body, called the lymph nodes.
The gland which is also known as lymph gland is responsible for filtering lymph fluid (lymph) circulating throughout the body through lymph vessels. Therefore, the way the lymph nodes work is like blood flowing in our body through blood vessels.
There are about 600 lymph nodes scattered in your body. However, the number of glands that can be felt or touched under the skin with bare hands is only a few. Among them are located in the following areas.
At the bottom of the jaw.
Behind the auricle.
In the armpit (under the upper arm).
One side of the neck.
One of the groin.
Above the collarbone.
The size of the lymph nodes varies. Starting from as small as the tip of the needle to the size of one ripe red bean.
This gland is part of the immune system (immune system), especially the lymphatic system. The reason is, this gland contains white blood cells and antibodies. This means that the lymph nodes play a major role in fighting infection and disease.
When your body has an infection or disease, the body will produce more immune cells. This increase in the number of immune cells in the lymph glands is what causes enlargement or swelling. Therefore, swollen lymph nodes or lymph nodes must indicate infection or disease.
How Common is Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes are quite common. This condition can occur in people of any age. However, women are more susceptible to problems with swollen lymph nodes.
Usually the swollen gland will shrink itself after infection or a disease that causes swelling to be treated. This healing can take about a week after the infection has healed.
Although swollen lymph nodes are a fairly common case, this does not mean that this condition is not dangerous at all. In some cases, swollen lymph nodes may indicate lymphatic cancer of Hodgkin's lymphoma and lymphoma of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
So, you still have to check with your doctor or clinic to get the best diagnosis and treatment.
Swollen lymph nodes can be treated by reducing risk factors. Discuss with your doctor for more information.
What are The Signs And Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes?
When the lymph nodes begin to swell, usually the initial symptoms that you can feel are:
Pain when pressing swollen glands.
Swollen gland areas become more sensitive, for example in your neck area it feels uncomfortable when moved.
The swollen glands are very large, usually as large as peas or more than that.
After you feel the initial symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, you may feel a series of other symptoms. Subsequent symptoms usually depend on the disease or infection that causes swelling itself.
However, the common symptoms of swollen lymph nodes are:
Cough
Limp body
Cold
Shivering and sweating, especially at night
Sore throat
Fever
The skin is red, warm and swollen
There may still be signs and symptoms that are not mentioned above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When Should I See a Doctor?
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms:
Swollen glands that do not go away, even spread everywhere for two to four weeks.
Swollen glands feel supple or supple.
Fever that doesn't go away.
Keep sweating at night.
Body weight decreases when not on a diet.
Sore throat that doesn't heal.
Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
The gland that feels very hard and continues to grow rapidly, this can be a tumor or lymph cancer.
If you have the signs or symptoms above or other questions, consult your doctor. Because the body of each person is different.
In addition, the swollen part of the gland may be located deep in your body so that it is invisible and cannot be touched under the skin.
Therefore, always discuss with your doctor to handle your health condition.
What Causes Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by various things. Ranging from mild infections to chronic diseases such as lymph cancer. The following are things that can trigger or aggravate your condition.
1. Ear Infections
Notice which part of the gland is swollen. Usually, swollen lymph nodes in the head and neck area indicate an ear infection.
Own ear infections can be caused by allergies or infections in the upper respiratory tract. Children get ear infections more often than adults. However, this type of infection can indeed attack anyone.
2. Viral Infections
There are many types of viruses that can attack the body and cause swollen lymph nodes. Usually the location of swollen lymph nodes will determine where the viral infection occurs.
Here are the types of viruses that can cause swollen lymph glands.
Varicella-zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.
Rubeola, which is a virus that causes measles.
HIV, which is an infectious virus that causes AIDS.
Herpes simplex, the virus that causes oral herpes, genital herpes, and herpes encephalitis.
Flu, which is a virus that causes influenza.
3. Bacterial Infections
Some types of bacteria that enter your body can cause infection. Certain bacterial infections can cause symptoms, namely swollen lymph nodes. Here is a list of the bacteria.
Streptococcus or strep, which is a bacterium that causes sore throat or swollen tonsils.
Staphylococcus or staph, the bacteria that causes food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome (TSS), or mastitis.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB or tuberculosis).
4. HIV / AIDS Infection
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes AIDS. This virus sometimes does not show any symptoms to the sufferer, so you can be diagnosed too late. In fact, being late in detecting this disease can be fatal.
Therefore, if you experience swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, muscle aches, and headaches, see a doctor immediately.
5. Dental Infections
Infection in the area of the gums and teeth can show symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes. Dental infection is usually caused by a dental abscess, which is the buildup of pus due to bacteria.
6. Mononucleosis
Swollen lymph glands in the neck and armpits can signify mononucleosis, a disease caused by a virus. This virus that is transmitted through saliva makes the sufferer sore throat, fever, weakness, itching, jaundice, nosebleeds, to shortness of breath.
7. Skin Infections
Various types of skin diseases can also make your lymph glands swell. Especially if you experience other symptoms such as a rash, the skin becomes reddish, feels sore or hot, and itching. Here are some types of skin diseases that may be characterized by swollen lymph glands.
Eczema, especially in infants and children.
Contact dermatitis.
Skin abscess (purulent skin) due to bacterial infection.
Head lice that nest in the scalp.
8. Strep Throat
Sore throat is a fairly common type of disease. The causes can vary. For example, from viral infections, bacterial infections, allergies, irritation of the throat, swelling of the tonsils, or certain injuries to the neck and throat.
These conditions cause inflammation. This can be seen from swollen lymph glands in the neck or jaw area.
9. Immune System Disorders
Disorders of your immune system can make you weaker and vulnerable to disease. The reason is, the system that has the duty to defend itself from the threat of disease has been weakened or disturbed.
Well, usually immune system disorders often attack people who have autoimmune diseases. For example rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis) and lupus. Symptoms include the formation of lymph nodes and weakness.
10. Cancer
Be careful, do not underestimate disorders such as swelling in your lymph nodes. This condition can be the beginning of cancer.
For example in your body there are cancer cells that are nested. Then these cancer cells move through the lymph vessels. This displacement then makes your lymph nodes enlarged.
After moving and spreading to other parts of the body, cancer cells can settle and grow to attack cells in the body.
Some types of cancer that show symptoms of lymph node swelling include skin cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, stomach cancer, lymphoma of Hodgkin's lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma lymphoma cancer.
Lymph cancer and other types of cancer can still be controlled at an early stage. Therefore, it is important for you to detect lymph cancer or other cancers as early as possible.
11. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Some types of sexually transmitted diseases can cause symptoms of swollen lymph nodes. Among them are syphilis (king of lions), gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Especially if the swollen glands are in the groin area.
What Increases My Risk of Swollen Lymph Nodes?
There are many risk factors for swollen lymph nodes. Among them are:
Aged over 65 years.
Have HIV / AIDS.
Alcoholism.
Have diabetes.
Mutual sexual partners.
Have an autoimmune disease.
How to Diagnose Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Only doctors and medical personnel can provide a diagnosis of lymph node swelling. To diagnose the cause of this condition, the doctor will need:
Medical record or patient's medical history.
Physical examination.
Blood test.
Scan X-rays on the chest or CT scan.
Lymph node biopsy.
How to Treat Swollen Lymph Nodes?
In some cases, swollen lymph nodes can heal on their own, without medication from a doctor. This is if the cause of the disease is quite mild, such as influenza or food poisoning.
However, if your condition is serious enough and caused by a severe illness, you will need medical help. However, some causes have not been found so you can only control so that the symptoms are not worse. For example in cases of lymph cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma and lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
For more details, see several treatment options for the following swollen lymph nodes.
Antibiotic or antiviral treatment: These are the most common treatments for swelling caused by bacterial infections.
Antibiotics will help stop breeding and bacterial infections in your body. Whereas if the cause of swollen lymph nodes is a virus, you will be given medicines that can relieve symptoms that arise. For the best treatment results, follow the advice of doctors and pharmacists.
Overcoming causes: Sometimes, swelling is a result of poor health conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis caused by autoimmune diseases. Treating these conditions can effectively cure swollen lymph nodes.
Cancer treatment: This treatment is given to swollen lymph nodes caused by cancer. This type of cancer will determine treatments that can include surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
What Can I Do to Deal With Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with swollen lymph nodes:
Use painkillers such as ibuprofen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Avoid aspirin in children because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Warm compresses on swollen areas with warm and wet cloth.
Enough rest.
Gargle salt water. If glandular swelling occurs in the area of the neck, ears, jaw, or head, you can rinse with salt dissolved in warm water. Gargle for about ten to twenty seconds. Then defecate. Repeat three to five times a day.
If you ignore or do not treat swollen lymph nodes, you can experience a variety of dangerous complications. These include the appearance of festering wounds due to infection and sepsis or blood poisoning. Be careful, sepsis can cause death.
You can prevent swollen lymph nodes by avoiding infection. This can be done by living a healthy lifestyle, eating with balanced nutrition, exercising regularly, managing stress, stopping smoking, and getting enough rest.
You should also avoid the risk factors for swollen lymph nodes by not changing sexual partners and not sharing eating utensils with people who are infected with a virus or bacteria.
To prevent lymph cancer and other types of cancer, pay attention to the history of cancer in your family and immediately do early detection if you feel the symptoms of cancer.
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