SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES
Dr. Neha Sood, Associate Director- ENT & Cochlear Implant, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital
Swollen lymph nodes or Lymphadenopathy refers to the swelling of lymph nodes which can be due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, malignancy or autoimmune disease. When your body’s immune system works to eliminate infection and/or foreign viruses or bacteria, your lymph nodes may expand or get larger.
These lymph nodes filter the germs and cells that passes through your lymph fluid. White blood cells, proteins, and fats make up the fluid known as lymph, which is clear or slightly yellowish in color.
Common Causes
- Impacted tooth
- Ear infection
- Colds
- Swelling (inflammation) of gums (gingivitis)
- Mouth sores
- Sexually transmitted illness (STI)
- Tonsillitis
- Tuberculosis
- Skin infections
1. Infections
- Bacterial,
- Fungal,
- viral,
- Mycobacterial,
- Others Infections
2. Autoimmune disorders
- Systemic lupus erythematosus,
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis,
- Amyloidosis,
- Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
3. Malignant diseases
- Head and neck cancers
- Leukemia,
- Lymphoma,
- Metastatic cancer
When to See Your Doctor?
- Your lymph nodes are increasing in size or not getting smaller after a few weeks.
- They feel hard, irregular, or stiff.
- They are Painful and red
- You’ve got a fever, nocturnal sweats, or a sudden loss of weight.
- In children any node larger than 1 centimeter) in diameter.
The course of action depends on what caused the enlarged nodes.
In case of Swollen nodes due to infection by bacteria treatment may include:
- Antibiotics used orally or intravenously to treat a bacterial illness
- Medicine to control pain and fever
- Medicine to reduce swelling
- Surgical removal of a pus-filled lymph node