Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes : Types, Causes & Diagnosis

Swollen Lymph Nodes Overview: Types, Causes, and Treatment

Lymph nodes are part of the body's lymphatic system; they are an essential network for filtering out harmful toxins and substances from the body, thus helping the body perform immune functions. Therefore, swollen lymph nodes can pose a serious health issue and cause complications.
Swelling on one side of the neck under the jaw or in another region may indicate a basic infection or serious disease, even cancer.
Research conducted on patients suffering from swollen lymph nodes found the risk of cancer was 11.5% within the first year of observation, and the possibility of lymphoma was also six to ten times more than the expected prevalence.

Continue reading to learn more details regarding swollen lymph nodes treatment, causes, and diagnosis.

What are Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes typically signal that the body is fighting an infection, but sometimes, they signal much more severe conditions, including cancers or autoimmune disorders. These nodes are, in fact, enlarged lymph glands.

In these cases, the immune system in the body responds to an infection, inflammation, or some other health-related condition. Those lymph nodes filter lymph fluid from different parts of the body and trap harmful things like bacteria and viruses.

Common places where these nodes occur are the neck, under the jaw, in the armpits, and groin. They can also be tender to the touch or firm, depending on the cause. Although normally a sign of infection, swollen lymph nodes can occasionally be a sign of cancer.

Diagnosis of Swollen Lymph Nodes

Your doctor will ask for the following to be able to identify the causes of your swollen lymph nodes:

Your Medical History: Your doctor will ask about your medical history, the manner in which your swollen lymph nodes appeared, and any other signs or symptoms that you may be experiencing.
Physical Examination: The doctor also examines the lymph nodes accessible on your skin, including their size, tenderness, warmth, and texture.
Blood Tests: To know more specific details, healthcare providers get different blood tests done, such as a Complete Blood Count (CBC), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and antibody tests to help diagnose infections or autoimmune diseases. An elevated white blood cell count or other abnormalities may indicate infections.
Imaging Studies: A chest X-ray or a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the affected region may be used to identify possible sources of infection or to detect tumours.
Lymph Node Biopsy: If there is suspicion of cancer, a biopsy is performed. This is done by removing a small tissue sample from the swollen lymph node and subjected to laboratory tests for the presence of malignancy or other conditions, like lymphoma or leukaemia.

Before moving to the swollen lymph nodes treatment methods, let's check out the major types of lymph nodes.

Types of Swollen Lymph Nodes

Swollen lymph nodes can occur in various parts of the body and often indicate an underlying infection. Most areas wherein swollen lymph nodes are located narrow down potential causes and guide the diagnosis. Some of them include:

Swollen Lymph Nodes Neck One Side: When the lymph nodes swell on one side of the neck, it is often an indication of an infection in that particular area, such as a sore throat, ear infection, or dental issue. It can also be associated with viral infections like the common cold or mononucleosis. Swelling often resolves once the infection is treated. If it persists, it may be an indication of more serious conditions such as lymphoma or cancer.
Swollen Lymph Nodes Neck: Often, swollen lymph nodes appear in the neck as a result of upper respiratory infections or colds, flu, or sinus infections. This disorder can also be due to throat infections, streptococcal infections, strep throat, or infections of the teeth and other parts of the mouth or gums. The tenderness, along with the size of this swelling, is a determinant of whether it is due to an infection or not since, in rare cases, it may indicate cancer.
Swollen Lymph Nodes Under Jaw: Infections of the mouth, throat, or teeth can cause swelling in the lymph nodes below the jaw. Some causes include tooth abscesses, gum disease, and tonsillitis. Localized swelling on one side could indicate an infection on that side, such as a dental infection. These types of swellings are generally temporary, but persistent swelling requires medical evaluation.
Swollen Lymph Node Under the Jaw on One Side: When there are swollen lymph nodes under the jawon one side, it is often a signal of an infection or inflammation in the mouth, throat, or nearby structures. An infected tooth, tonsillitis, or a sore throat can cause swelling locally. Swelling on one side may be more marked if the infection is more localized. Swelling that persists requires further investigation to rule out other causes.
Swollen Lymph Node Armpit: Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits are often related to infections of the arms, chest, or breasts. They can also result from infections of the skin and, for example, cellulitis, which can be a consequence of vaccines, such as receiving an influenza vaccine. Lumps may sometimes be signs of serious diseases, such as breast cancer or lymphoma. If the swelling does not resolve, medical intervention becomes essential.

Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, under the jaw, and other areas can occur for various reasons. The most common causes include:

Infections: Swollen lymph nodes are the most common cause of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Infections such as flu, common cold, mononucleosis (mono), strep throat, and ear infections often lead to swollen lymph nodes. Other infections, such as skin infections, mouth infections, or tooth infections, can also lead to swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or swollen lymph nodes in the neck on one side.
Autoimmune Diseases: Sometimes, swollen lymph nodes happen due to autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Cancer: Lymphomas include cancer of the lymph leukaemia, which is a cancer of the blood and can also lead to swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits.
Medications: Certain drugs, for example, the anti-seizure drug phenytoin and certain antibiotics, can cause swollen lymph nodes as a side effect.
Other Diseases: Sometimes, other diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and sarcoidosis may also lead to swollen lymph nodes.

Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes

Lymphadenopathy refers to swollen lymph nodes. When your lymph nodes become swollen in the neck, the symptoms include:

Coughing
Feeling tired
Fever
Chills
Nasal congestion
Sweating
Swelling of glands
The area near the glands becomes purple or red.
Swelling in the arm or groin
Abrupt weight loss

Swollen lymph nodes in the groin could be associated with a pelvic infection and may cause a feeling of pain when walking or bending.

Swollen Lymph Nodes Treatment

If the swelling is due to a more serious issue, the treatment options might involve:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are typically used to treat swollen lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection. For instance, if the swelling is caused by an HIV infection, you will receive specific treatment for that condition.
Medications: Taking Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), may help alleviate pain and swelling in the lymph nodes. However, all the medicines should be taken after consulting with a doctor.
Surgery, Radiation, or Chemotherapy: If cancer causes swollen lymph nodes, it is the cancer that will be treated. Depending on the type, this could take the form of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

Swollen lymph nodes are common and can result from various causes, ranging from innocuous infections to severe diseases like cancer. Accurate diagnosis involves a proper medical history, physical examination, blood tests, imaging studies, and sometimes, a biopsy to find the true cause.

Sometimes, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, arm, abdomen, etc., resolve with time and treatment, but if your condition does not improve or worsens, you must seek medical attention. Always consider availing of comprehensive health insurance from reliable sources like Star Health Insurance to ensure quality care for you and your family.

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FAQ'S

What causes swollen lymph nodes in the neck on one side?

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck on one side can be caused by localized infections such as a sore throat, ear infection, or dental problems. If the swelling does not resolve, it could also be a symptom of severe diseases such as lymphoma or cancer.

What are swollen lymph glands, and what are the causes of swollen lymph glands?

Swollen lymph glands are caused by the swelling of the lymph nodes because of infection, inflammation, or other underlying conditions. Viral infections such as cold or flu, bacterial infections, or autoimmune diseases can cause this condition. If it persists, it may need to be further evaluated by a medical professional.

How do you treat swollen lymph nodes in the neck naturally?

To treat swollen lymph nodes in the neck naturally, applying a warm compress can help reduce discomfort and inflammation. Staying hydrated, resting, and consuming immune-boosting foods like vitamin C-rich fruits and herbal teas can also support the healing process. However, if the swelling persists, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider.

What is the best antibiotic for swollen lymph nodes?

Some of the antibiotics that doctors might give for swollen lymph nodes include Azithromycin (Zithromax), Vancomycin (Vancocin), Cephalosporins, Ceftriaxone, Erythromycin, Doxycycline, Amoxicillin (Amoxil), Penicillin G, Augmentin, and Clindamycin.