Sometimes when you have a cold or a fever, do you feel like you have small lumps on either side of your neck or in your armpit? It also feels a little painful, doesn't it? Although many of us call these 'swellings', medically they are called lymph nodes. What are these really? Why do they swell? Is this something to be afraid of? Today, we will talk about all this simply, in a way that you can understand.
Simply put, what are these lymph nodes?
Imagine that you have a very advanced defense system inside your body. These lymph nodes are like little security checkpoints in that defense system. They are part of the lymphatic system in our body. This lymphatic system is a very important part of our immune system.
The main job of these checkpoints is to filter and clean the fluid called lymph that travels throughout our bodies. This lymph fluid can contain things that are harmful to our bodies. For example:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Cancer cells
- Other germs that have entered the body
Like a checkpoint that checks vehicles entering a city, immune cells inside the lymph nodes scan this lymph fluid, identifying and destroying any "enemies" in it. Then, the cleaned lymph fluid is returned to the blood. In other words, these little nodes do a great job of preventing you from getting sick.
Where are the lymph nodes located in our body?
We have more lymph nodes in our bodies than you might think. On average, a person has between 400 and 800 lymph nodes in their bodies. They are located in small clusters in various places. You may have felt these on your hands at some point.
See the table below for the main locations.
| Body area | Places where we usually feel |
|---|---|
| Head and neck area | Behind the ear, on the chin, on both sides of the neck, around the shoulders |
| Axillary area | Under the armpit |
| Inguinal region | On the inner side of the thighs, where they meet the body |
| Inside the chest and abdomen | Since these are inside the body, we cannot touch them from the outside. |
Most importantly, lymph nodes are not located in our brain and spinal cord.
Why do lymph nodes swell? What are the most common causes?
A swollen lymph node means that the defense cells inside it are engaged in a battle. Just like sending more troops to a war zone, when an infection occurs, a large number of immune cells gather in the lymph node to fight it. That's when it swells.
The main and most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection .
- For example: When you have a strep throat infection, the lymph nodes in your neck become active to fight the germs. That's why the glands in your neck become swollen and painful to the touch.
The main causes are infections like these:
- Common viral infections like the flu and cold
- Bacterial infections of the throat, ears, or teeth
- Skin wound infection
- Certain viral infections, such as mononucleosis
Besides infections, lymph nodes can also swell for other reasons. Some of them are common, while others can be a little more serious.
| The cause of swelling | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Infections | The most common cause is viral or bacterial infection. |
| Autoimmune Diseases | Diseases in which the body's defense system attacks its own cells (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis). |
| Cancers | Blood cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia. Sometimes cancer from another location can spread to the lymph nodes. |
| Other rare conditions | Less common diseases such as `Castleman disease` and `Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease`. |
When should you be concerned about a swollen lymph node?
This is the biggest problem for many people. Remember, most of the time, swollen lymph nodes are caused by a simple infection , and once the infection is cured, the swelling will go down on its own.
However, if you have one or more of the following symptoms, it's best to be a little concerned and definitely see a doctor .
- Persistent swelling: If the swelling persists for more than two to three weeks and does not go away.
- Swelling for no reason: If you suddenly have swollen lymph nodes without any illness like a fever or cold.
- Very hard and immobile: If the swollen lump feels hard like a rock, not like a rubber ball, and doesn't move around under the skin.
- Rapidly increasing: If the swelling is gradually increasing.
- Presence of other symptoms: persistent fever with swelling, excessive night sweats, unexplained weight loss (wasting) , or extreme fatigue.
- Swelling in specific locations: If you have swelling above the collarbone (supraclavicular) or around the elbow, you should be especially concerned.
Having these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have a serious illness, but it's important to get checked out by a doctor to confirm.
How does a doctor check this?
When you go to see a doctor, the first thing he or she will do is ask you a few questions. When did the swelling start, does it hurt, and are there any other symptoms? Then, they will carefully examine the swollen lump and the surrounding area.
Most of the time, this test can give you an idea of the cause. However, if there is any doubt, your doctor may refer you for further testing.
- Blood tests: Tests like a complete blood count (CBC) can detect infections or other problems.
- Imaging scans: Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans can provide a better understanding of the nature of the lymph node and its surrounding area.
- Lymph node biopsy: This is the most accurate test. A small piece of tissue is removed from the swollen lymph node under anesthesia and examined under a microscope. This method can determine for sure whether there are any cancer cells or not.
Treatment depends on the cause.
Treatment for swollen lymph nodes is not the swelling itself, but the underlying disease that caused the swelling .
- If the cause is a bacterial infection , the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
- If the cause is a viral infection , no special treatment is usually needed. When the body is given rest, the immune system will heal itself.
- If the cause is a serious condition such as cancer , you may need to undergo treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery under the advice of an oncologist.
If there is pain due to swelling, you can get relief by applying heat and taking painkillers as prescribed by your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Lymph nodes are an important part of our body's immune system. They are like our body's security checkpoints.
- Swollen lymph nodes (as we call them) are often a sign that the body is fighting an infection. This is normal.
- Most swelling will go away on its own within a week or two, as the underlying infection heals.
- However, if a swelling persists for a long time, is hard like a rock, is rapidly growing, or is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss, it is very important to see a doctor without wasting time .
- Don't panic unnecessarily when you see a small bump. And don't ignore suspicious symptoms. Awareness is the best defense.
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