Glands become swollen for different reasons. If you have swollen glands because of a virus, they usually get better without treatment. If you’re not sure why you have swollen glands, if they are painful or getting bigger, or if you are feeling unwell, it's a good idea to see your doctor.
What are swollen glands?
Glands are lymph nodes. They are part of the lymphatic system, which fights infection. Lymph nodes filter impurities from the lymph, which is a type of body fluid.
Glands in many different parts of the body can become swollen, but you’re more likely to feel them in your neck, in your armpits or in your groin.
What causes swollen glands?
There are many different causes of swollen glands. Most of them are not serious.
Having swollen glands usually means your immune system is fighting an infection in the swollen area. For example, if you have a sore throat from a virus, you may get swollen neck glands. An infection on your leg can cause swollen glands in the groin.
Causes of swollen glands include:
- viruses (including glandular fever)
- eczema
- grazes
- insect bites
- burns
- bacterial infection, such as tonsillitis
- cancer
Out of 100 people with swollen glands, only one, if any, is likely to have cancer. In young people cancer is even less likely.
Swollen glands diagnosis
If you see your doctor about your swollen glands, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms, and examine you.
If you have a simple infection, you may not need any medical tests.
In some situations, your doctor might order blood tests or a scan. If the results suggest cancer, you may need to have a biopsy of the gland.
Swollen glands treatment
Swollen glands caused by a virus don't need treatment. The glands eventually shrink. This can take a few weeks or longer.
If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor might give you antibiotics.
If your swollen gland is due to cancer, your doctor can refer you to the appropriate specialist for treatment.
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. 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. The most common signs are: Tenderness or pain in your lymph nodes Swelling that makes your lymph
nodes the size of a kidney bean or possibly larger Because swollen lymph nodes are usually linked to some type of illness, you might also have other symptoms, depending on what that illness is: Runny nose, sore throat, or fever (caused by an upper respiratory
infection) Swelling of clusters of lymph nodes in different places in your body (caused by an infection or an immune system disorder, like rheumatoid arthritis) Hard lymph nodes that won’t move or get bigger quickly (signs of certain types of cancer) Lymph 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:Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes
Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes
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 suddenlyWhen to See a Doctor for Swollen Lymph Nodes
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 Diagnosis
Your 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:
Blood tests
X-rays
Ultrasound. High-frequency sound waves are used to let your doctor see what’s happening inside your body.
Magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI). A powerful magnet and radio waves are used to make detailed images of your organs and tissues.
Biopsy. Lymph node tissue is removed and looked at under a microscope.
PET scan. This looks at the chemical activity in parts of your body. It may help identify a variety of conditions like some cancers, heart disease and brain disorders. This is done less commonly.
CT scan. A series of X-rays are taken from different angles and put together to form a more complete picture.
Swollen Lymph Node Treatment and Home Remedies
If 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:
Warm compress. A washcloth rinsed in hot water and placed on the area that hurts may help ease pain.
Rest. Getting good rest can help you get over a mild illness faster.
Over-the-counter pain relievers: Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen may make you feel better. (Talk to your doctor before giving aspirin to children or teenagers.)
If something more serious is causing the swelling, treatment can include:
Antibiotics for an infection caused by bacteria
Medications that help with inflammation (for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis)
Surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy (for types of cancer)