Glands - Swollen
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Lymphatic system |
Swollen glands |
Infectious mononucleosis |
Circulation of lymph |
Alternative names
Swollen glands; Swollen
lymph nodes; Swollen lymph glands
Definition
The term "swollen glands"
refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes.
In a child, a node is enlarged if it is larger
than one centimeter (0.4 inch) in diameter. See
also lymphadenitis and lymphangitis.
Considerations
The lymphatic system is a complex network of
thin vessels, valves, ducts, nodes, and organs.
It helps to protect and maintain the fluid environment
of the body by producing, filtering, and conveying
lymph and by producing various blood cells.
The lymph system is present throughout the body.
Common areas where the lymph nodes can be felt
(palpable nodes) include:
- the groin area (inguinal region)
- armpit (axilla)
- the neck (there is a chain of lymph nodes
on either side of the front of the neck, both
sides of the neck, and down each side of the
back of the neck)
- under the jaw and chin
- behind the ears
- over the prominence on the back of the head
(occiput)
Lymph nodes play an important part in the body?s
defense against infection. Swelling might occur
even if the infection is trivial or not apparent.
Swelling of lymph nodes generally results from
localized or systemic infection, abscess formation,
or malignancy. Other causes of enlarged lymph
nodes are extremely rare. By far, the most common
cause of lymph node enlargement is infection.
As a rule, when swelling appears suddenly and
is painful, it is usually caused by injury or
an infection. Enlargement that comes on gradually
and painlessly may result from malignancy or tumor.
Common
causes
- infectious
- infectious mononucleosis (behind the
ears or neck)
- rubella also known as German measles
(behind the ears)
- tuberculosis (above the collar bone)
- mumps (salivary glands)
- ear infections or sore throat (neck
glands, sometimes)
- infection in the scalp (behind the ears
or in back of the head)
- impacted tooth (swollen gums)
- HIV disease or AIDS
- immune or autoimmune
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- serum sickness
- HIV disease
- malignant
- leukemia
- Hodgkin’s disease
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- other
- canker sores
- drugs (such as phenytoin)
- typhoid vaccination
- salivary duct stones
Home
care
Soreness in lymph glands
usually disappears in a couple of days without
treatment. If the glands are painful, it is because
of the rapid swelling of the gland in the early
stages of fighting the infection. It takes much
longer for the gland to return to normal size
than to swell, so be patient.
Follow prescribed therapy, if appropriate, to
treat the underlying cause.
Call
your health care provider if
- After several weeks of observation the glands
don?t get smaller.
- Swollen glands are red and tender.
- Swollen glands are hard, irregular, or feel
fixed in place.
- Swollen glands are located just above
the collar bone.
- Swollen glands are located behind the ear.
- One or more glands get larger over a period
of 2 to 3 weeks.
- There are symptoms of fever, night sweats,
or weight loss with swollen glands.
- Nodes larger than 1cm in diameter in children
should be followed by a physician. It should
shrink noticeably within 4-6 weeks, and should
be less than one centimeter within 8-12 weeks.
What
to expect
Your medical history
will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions may include:
- location
- Which node(s) are affected?
- Is the swelling the same on both sides?
- time pattern
- When did the swelling begin?
- How long has it lasted (how many months
or weeks)?
- Did it begin suddenly?
- Did it develop gradually?
- Is the swollen node increasing in size?
- Is the number of nodes that are swollen
increasing?
- associated complaints
- Is the node painful?
- Is the skin over or around the node
red?
- Is the node tender when you gently press
on it?
- other
- What other symptoms are occurring at
the same time?
The physical examination may include pressing
on many of the lymph nodes to look for size, texture,
warmth, tenderness, and other features.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
- liver function tests and kidney function
tests
- CBC with differential
- lymph node biopsy
- chest Xray
- liver-spleen scan
After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider
related to swollen lymph nodes, you may want to
note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
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