Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that your body is fighting off an infection or an illness. Most of the time, they return to normal size when their job is done. Show
Lymph nodes are round, bean-shaped glands, and you have them throughout your body. There are clusters of them in places like your neck, under your arm, and in the crease between your thigh and your torso (where your leg begins). You can sometimes feel these clusters as little bumps, especially if they're swollen. They're part of your lymphatic system. Along with your spleen, tonsils, and adenoids, they help protect you from harmful germs. Symptoms of Swollen Lymph NodesThe most common signs are:
Because swollen lymph nodes are usually linked to some type of illness, you might also have other symptoms, depending on what that illness is:
Causes of Swollen Lymph NodesLymph nodes have immune cells called lymphocytes in them. They attack bacteria, viruses, and other things that can make you sick. When you're fighting off harmful germs, your body makes more of those immune cells -- that causes the swelling. Your lymph nodes come across all kinds of germs, so they can be swollen for lots of reasons. Usually, it's something that's relatively easy to treat, like:
Much less often, it can be a more serious illness. They can include:
In most cases, swollen glands return to normal size after the illness or infection has passed. But here are some things to watch for: Glands that swelled up very suddenly Glands that are much larger than they should be, not just mildly swollen Glands that feel hard or don't move when you push on them Glands that stay swollen for more than 5 days in children or 2 to 4 weeks in adults The area around the glands turns red or purple, it feels warm or you see pus Swelling in your arm or groin Sudden weight loss A fever that doesn't go away Night sweats If you notice any of these, see your doctor. Swollen Lymph Nodes DiagnosisYour doctor will start by asking you about your medical history and giving you a physical exam. They might be able to get an idea of what's making your glands swell by where they are in your body. They also may recommend one of these tests to find out more about what's going on:
Swollen Lymph Node Treatment and Home RemediesIf your swollen lymph nodes aren’t caused by something serious, they will go away on their own. A few things may help with any discomfort while you wait for it to run its course:
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