When bacteria or viruses invade your body, your lymph nodes can become swollen. These small, bean-shaped structures, known as lymph glands, act as a defense system for your body, trapping harmful substances and preventing them from spreading to other parts of your body. Swollen lymph nodes are most commonly found in areas like your neck, under your chin, in your armpits, and in your groin. Although uncommon, cancer can also cause swollen lymph nodes. The ENT Clinic Singapore with its experienced ENT specialists will help to find the cause behind lymph node swelling.
If you experience swollen lymph nodes, you can usually treat them with warm compresses and wait for them to resolve on their own, however having lymph node swellings that persist for an extended period can be cause for concern.
What are the symptoms which can be seen?
The body has a complex system called the lymphatic system, which consists of organs, vessels, and lymph nodes located throughout your body. The head and neck region, as well as the armpits and groin, contain many lymph nodes that can become swollen. Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong somewhere in the body. When this occurs, one may notice tenderness and pain in the affected lymph nodes, as well as different sizes of swellings.
When lymph nodes become swollen, they may feel tender and painful and can vary in size from as small as a pea or kidney bean to much larger swelling. The presence of other signs and symptoms depends on the underlying cause of the swelling. For instance, an upper respiratory infection can cause symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and fever. If lymph nodes throughout your body are swollen, it may indicate an infection such as HIV or mononucleosis, or an immune system disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Rapidly growing and fixed nodes that feel hard could signal the presence of cancer or lymphoma. In addition, fever and night sweats may also occur. To determine the underlying cause of swollen lymph nodes, further evaluation and testing by a specialist is necessary.
Should I go see a doctor?
In case you see swollen lymph nodes, they might return to normal as the underlying condition improves, for example, a minor infection. It is advisable to visit a doctor if:
– The swollen lymph nodes appear without any apparent cause
– They remain the same or become larger for two to four weeks
– They feel hard or rubbery, and you can’t move them when pushed
– You experience constant fever, night sweats, or inexplicable loss of weight alongside swollen lymph nodes.
If you have concerns or experience difficulty swallowing or breathing, you should seek immediate medical attention. It is important to consult an ENT doctor to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
What are the causes of having swollen lymph nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes are usually caused by infections, specifically viral infections like the common cold. They can also result from other infections such as strep throat, measles, ear infections, infected teeth, mononucleosis, skin infections like cellulitis, HIV, and rare infections like tuberculosis, syphilis, toxoplasmosis that comes from exposure to infected cat feces or eating undercooked meat, and cat scratch fever that results from a cat scratch or bite.
Disorders of the immune system include chronic inflammatory diseases such as lupus, which affects joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs, and rheumatoid arthritis, which targets the synovium tissue lining your joints. Cancer can also cause swollen lymph nodes, including lymphoma, which originates in the lymphatic system, and leukemia, which affects the body’s blood-forming tissue and lymphatic system. Swollen lymph nodes may also result from other cancers that have spread to the lymph nodes. While uncommon, certain medications such as phenytoin, an anti-seizure medication, and malaria preventive medications can also cause swollen lymph nodes.
Complications: When infection causes swollen lymph nodes, failure to treat it may result in the formation of an abscess. Abscesses have pus which consists of fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other invaders. Treatment for an abscess may involve draining the pus and administering antibiotics.
Diagnosis of swollen lymph nodes
Your ENT doctor will typically perform a series of tests to diagnose the underlying cause of the swollen lymph nodes.
They will begin by taking your medical history, including the onset and progression of your symptoms and any other signs or symptoms you may be experiencing. A physical examination will also be conducted to check for tenderness, size, warmth, and texture of the lymph nodes near the surface of your skin. The location and characteristics of your swollen lymph nodes, as well as other symptoms you may have, can provide clues about the underlying cause.
Blood tests may be conducted to confirm or rule out any suspected underlying conditions, with the specific tests depending on the suspected cause. A complete blood count (CBC) may be performed to assess your overall health and detect a range of disorders, such as infections or leukemia.
Find out the cause of the swelling, your doctor may need to do imaging tests like a chest X-ray or CT scan. They may also remove a small sample or entire lymph node to check for infection or tumors, which is called a lymph node biopsy.
These tests can help your doctor identify the underlying cause of your swollen lymph nodes and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
What sort of treatment is available?
A virus causes swollen lymph nodes, they typically return to normal once the viral infection is gone. Antibiotics can help treat bacterial infections. If someone has an HIV infection, they will receive treatment specific to that condition. Your lymph nodes are swollen due to an immune disorder like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, the focus of treatment will be on managing the underlying condition. In case swollen lymph nodes are due to cancer, appropriate treatment for the cancer is necessary. The treatment could include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy based on the type of cancer.