Swollen Lymph Glands - Enlarged Lymph Nodes

Lymph glands, also referred to as lymph nodes, form a part the lymphatic system, which aid the body’s immune system and protect the body against infection. Hence, when the lymph glands get swollen, it could signify an infection.

Lymph nodes occur all over the body, although they bunch together in groups in certain parts of the body, such as the neck, the armpits and the groin. These are joined together by channels, which form a network, through which is carried a fluid called lymph, which finally is drained into the bloodstream. Lymph actually contains lymphocytes, or white blood cells and chyle. Enlarged lymph nodes usually occur in the groin, the armpits, in the neck, and under the chin.

What are the Causes of Swollen Lymph Glands?

In their normal state lymph nodes are the size of peas, which can sometimes be felt beneath the skin, especially when they become swollen, when they can become as large as marbles, or even larger.

Swollen lymph glands, are usually caused due to an infection, especially a viral infection like the common cold.

However, there are various other kinds of infection that can cause swollen lymph nodes, like bacterial infections and parasitic infections, such as:

Infections that occur commonly:

• Streptococcal infection of the throat
• Infection in the ear
• Tooth abscess
• Infected wound
• Measles
• Mumps
• Glandular fever

Other types of infections:

• A fever caused due to a bite or scratch from a cat
• Toxoplasmosis, which is an infection caused by parasites being transmitted to humans from infected cats, or due to consuming meat that is undercooked
• Diseases that are transmitted sexually, like syphilis
• Tuberculosis, and infection caused due to ingesting or inhaling the tubercle bacilli

Disorders of the immune system:

• HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS
• Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the synovial tissues of the joints
• Lupus, an inflammatory disease that is chronic and affects the lungs, heart, blood cells, kidneys, skin, and joints

Various types of cancers:

• Leukemia, a malignancy of the tissues that form blood in the body, such as the lymphatic system and the bone marrow
• Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph tissue

Other causes that may be possible, although rare, are the result of certain medicines, like phenytoin prescribed for seizures, immunization against certain diseases like malaria, sarcoidosis, which is another chronic disease that results in the formation of nodules in the lymph glands, salivary glands, lungs and liver, Kawasaki disease, and diseases of glycogen storage.

Generally, enlarged lymph nodes caused by infections develop faster than those caused by cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. They also have the tendency of being pain-free at the initial stages.

What are the Symptoms and Treatment for Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Usually, when enlarged lymph glands are palpated, they can feel painful and tender. Some of the other symptoms that may also occur are:

• Signs of infection of the upper respiratory system such as sore throat, runny nose, along with fever
• Swollen lymph glands all over the body, pointing to infections like mononucleosis or HIV, disorders of the immune system, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
• Red inflammation of the skin on the swollen lymph gland
• Swelling of the limbs, indicative of the blockage of the lymph system due to a lymph node swelling, which occurs too deep beneath the skin to be felt
• The rapid growth of nodes, which become fixed and hardened, indicative of a tumor, which is rare

The treatment for enlarged lymph glands will be based on the cause. Generally, all you will require will be over-the-counter pain medications along with warm compresses. However, if the causes are more serious, the underlying problem will have to be treated, which a doctor will diagnose and then devise a treatment plan accordingly.